May 5, 2005
Protoherbivorous dino find
Paleontologists in Utah announced yesterday that they had discovered a new species of dinosaurs in an intermediate stage between carnivore and herbivore, on the way to becoming a committed vegetarian. They could only speculate on the reasons for the change, but noted that it occurred in a time of global warming and the arrival of flowering plants in profusion, a tempting new food source.From the NY Times.Dr. James I. Kirkland, a paleontologist with the Utah Geological Survey, said the new species, named Falcarius utahensis, was uncovered two years ago at a remote dig site near the town of Green River. The animal, about 13 feet long and 4½ feet tall, was a primitive member of the therizinosaur group of feathered dinosaurs.
Posted by David on May 5, 2005 7:51 AM
I wonder if it would be possible to play with a parallel comparison to human development from hunter-gatherer social groupings to settled hamlets and villages based on large-headed grain and the use of farming implements and domesticated animals. During the transition, people actually may have eaten less well at first in settled areas, but over the longer haul, it paid off. Humans could support larger families in settled villages, and it was all downhill from there.
Posted by: Sarah
on May 5, 2005 5:17 PM
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