Science: The Paradox That Is the Theropod Dinosaur Dilong

Dilong - An ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex which is a bit of a paradox

Dilong paradoxical "dragon emperor paradox" of the Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province of China is considered a primitive member of the Tyrannosauroidea. The evolution of tyrannosaurs is shrouded in mystery, most paleontologists believe they are from the northern hemisphere in the course of the late Jurassic and possibly Allosaurs displaced as top predators in most parts of the world. Indeed, recent research in later tyrannosaurids, large carnivores Upper Cretaceous (Campanian to Maastrichtian faunal stages), indicating that these animals are not native to North America. An animal like Tyrannosaurus rex, dinosaur archetype, without which no film Jurassic Park would be the same, was probably the descendants of tyrannosaurids who migrated to North America from Asia.

Tyrannosaurs Evolved in Asia

T. rex is synonymous with the United States, however, his ancestors originated in China, another case of "made in China" I'm afraid.

There is a lot scientists do not yet know about the evolution of tyrannosaurs. Fossils are extremely rare predators in the fossil record, much rarer than herbivores relatively common, for example. In any ecosystem herbivores will tend to outnumber the meat eaters, the ratio depends on the amount of food that meat eaters have to eat, herbivore numbers needed to sustain them. The calculations were made indicating that large predators such as tyrannosaurs a size capable Gorgosaurus Tarbosaurus or example, may have required a large number of herbivores to sustain a ratio of meat eaters to mega herbivores in the population Wildlife being in excess of 1:50.

Where does Eotyrannus fit into the scheme tyrannosaurid?

The discovery of Eotyrannus (E. lengi) by amateur fossil collector Gavin Long has further complicated the path of evolution of the group Tyrannosaur. Eotyrannus is obviously another tyrannosaurid primitive. Skull structure has similarities with other tyrannosaurs and teeth in the premaxilla is typical of a Tyrannosaurus, which is broad, slightly re-curved and having the characteristic "D" shaped cross section. The problem is Eotyrannus is associated with the formation of Wessex from the Isle of Wight. Dilong another member of the primitive tyrannosaurs is associated with the Liaoning Province in China. According to the fossils found so far, scientists have concluded that Dilong and Eotyrannus were very similar, in fact, some paleontologists have suggested that they are of the same kind. The trouble is, if both Dilong and Eotyrannus forms are basal tyrannosaurs, what part of the world did tyrannosaurs evolve?

Dilong fast and agile predator

Dilong was a predator in its lightweight construction, with an estimated size of about 2 meters. The most complete skeleton of this dinosaur fossils discovered to date is an individual with an estimated length of 1.5 meters, but we think it is a sub-adult, if an animal was probably greater maturity. Although Dilong has been known for at least four fossil specimens, a single fossil showing signs of proto-feathers. This particular fossil, discovered in a layer of shale was largely flattened and bones were found in a disarticulated state and the sample is far from complete. However, around the tail and in the region that represents the back of the head and simple directions filamentous feathers were found. Some of these were simple proto-feathers up to 3 cm long. The presence of proto-feathers is evidence that the ancestor of the great Tyrannnosaurs such as T. rex had feathers.

Does this mean that dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex also feathers?

The feathered dinosaurs?

Although the sample of feathers is far from over, fine sediments surrounding this fossil has such evidence must be preserved feathers. The scientists concluded that this small dinosaur was probably covered with a coat of downy feathers simple. These feathers have helped to protect the animal and prevent heat loss too, which reinforces the theory that at least some dinosaurs were endothermic (warm-blooded).

Tyrannosaurus rex was covered in feathers?

Scientists believe that large later tyrannosaurs were not feathered, not fully covered in feathers and not flag adulthood. Their reasoning is quite simple and the absence of fossil evidence tangible, it's the best scientists can do for the moment. If feathers originally evolved as a form of insulation for small animals, it would make sense for small kinds of Tyrannosaur and even minor members of larger genres. However, most animal increases, the mass of the animal in relation to its surface. Large mammals such as elephants, for example, need to lose their body heat rather than cling to it. Therefore, these animals are almost hairless. An adult T. Rex weighs something like 7000 pounds would be hard losing heat if it was covered with a thick insulating layer proto-feathers. A newborn weighing T. rex maybe a little more than a kilogram on the other hand find a fluffy coat a great advantage to help regulate its temperature. A hot-blooded young Tyrannosaurus rex may have a layer of proto-feathers, but as he grew up, he can throw his coat gradually until it had almost entirely lost in adulthood.

T. rex may have retained some proto-feathers, perhaps the back of the neck or head that could have a display function of mature adults, but this is only speculation at the moment. It is doubtful that this animal would have had feathers around the mouth and around the neck as they would have been very difficult for the animal to clean short armed and they were quickly covered in blood and gore that the animal fed. Many vultures for example, have bald heads and necks, reflecting their adaptation used to have to penetrate deeply carcasses for food.

Mandarin for Dragon Emperor

The species D. REM is Mandarin of the Dragon Emperor, named after a dragon of Chinese mythology old. The actual name of the species is derived from the Greek, means "against ideas." This primitive feathers tyrannosaurid at its discovery is a paradox when compared the Tyrannosaur fossil record exists. A T. rex ancestor to feathers, as had been speculated, but here evidence showing the link between the dreaded late "Tyrant Kings" and feathers.

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Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Paradox That Is the Theropod Dinosaur Dilong

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