News / Science News

    Fossils reveal dinosaurs of prehistoric Patagonia

    A study led by scientists at The University of Texas at Austin is providing a glimpse into dinosaur and bird diversity in Patagonia during the Late Cretaceous, just before the non-avian dinosaurs went extinct.



    An artist's interpretation of Patagonia during the Late Cretaceous, about 66-78 million years ago. Photo: Mauricio Alvarez and Gabriel Diaz


    The fossils represent the first record of theropods — a dinosaur group that includes both modern birds and their closest non-avian dinosaur relatives — from the Chilean portion of Patagonia.

    The researchers' finds include giant megaraptors with large sickle-like claws and birds from the group that also includes today’s modern species.

    "The fauna of Patagonia leading up to the mass extinction was really diverse," said lead author Sarah Davis. "You've got your large theropod carnivores and smaller carnivores as well as these bird groups coexisting alongside other reptiles and small mammals."

    “This study indicates a need for a better understanding of the global fossil record for birds and other theropod dinosaurs, especially from southern South America and Antarctica,” said Mike Jackson, head of NSF’s Antarctic Sciences Section.

    “The fossil discoveries highlighted in this study are critical to accurately assessing global trends in dinosaur diversity.”

    The researchers, led by Julia Clarke at UT Austin, identified the theropods from small fossil fragments — the dinosaurs mostly from teeth and toes, the birds from small bone pieces. Davis said that the enamel glinting on the dinosaur teeth helped with spotting them among the rocky terrain.

    Some researchers have suggested that the Southern Hemisphere faced less extreme or more gradual climatic changes than the Northern Hemisphere after the asteroid strike.

    This may have made Patagonia and other places in the Southern Hemisphere a refuge for birds, mammals and other life that survived the extinction.

    The researchers said the study can aid in investigating this theory by building up a record of ancient life before and after the extinction event. (U.S. National Science Foundation)

    MARCH 5, 2023



    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Study maps tiny cellular sensors that determine the proper positioning of our organs.
    Researchers find parallel physical differences and genomic signatures in urban populations.
    Even though roundworms are nearly too small to be seen, they can pose major problems in corn, soybean, peanut and other crops. Collectively, these roundworms are known as plant-parasitic nematodes, and they cause $173 billion in crop losses worldwide each year.
    Researchers from Yale University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory collaborated on neutron scattering experiments to study hydrogen atom locations and their effects on iron in a compound similar to those commonly used in industrial catalysts.
    A study claims that the mysterious "dark energy", which cosmologists believe is accelerating the expansion of the universe, could arise from supermassive black holes in the hearts of galaxies.
    Researchers find that heat conductivity of boron arsenide decreases under extreme pressure.

    © 1991-2023 The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin | Titi Tudorancea® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
    Contact