TechSwift and adaptable: how early dinosaurs outran competitors, according to Bristol University study

Swift and adaptable: how early dinosaurs outran competitors, according to Bristol University study

The team studied the limb proportions of various reptile species from the Triassic period, which ranged from 252 to 201 million years ago, marking the first appearance of dinosaurs. The research indicates not only were the early dinosaurs bipedal, but they were also adapted for running. In addition, dinosaurs showcased a more versatile range of running styles than some of their competitors, making them evolutionarily adaptable.

Tyrannosaurus dinosaur - illustrative photo
Tyrannosaurus dinosaur - illustrative photo
Images source: © Unsplash

5:54 AM EST, February 9, 2024

The evolutionary success of dinosaurs

Around 233 million years ago, during a climate crisis, dinosaurs - which had existed in small numbers for approximately 20 million years - came out on top of their competition. The climate had turned arid, and food had become sparse. Dinosaurs leveraged this crisis, using it as an opportunity to take over the world. In contrast, the ancestors of crocodiles could not spread out expansively and dynamically.

Tom Stubbs, a research team member, notes that while we often visualize dinosaurs as large and ungainly creatures, they began their existence as small, swift insectivores. After the Triassic extinction, large, multi-meter giants emerged, some even being armored. Many of these dinosaurs were four-legged, but fast, agile bipeds continued to exist. This diversity enabled dinosaurs to persist on Earth for an extensive period.

For more information on this topic, visit: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.231495.

© essanews.com
·

Downloading, reproduction, storage, or any other use of content available on this website—regardless of its nature and form of expression (in particular, but not limited to verbal, verbal-musical, musical, audiovisual, audio, textual, graphic, and the data and information contained therein, databases and the data contained therein) and its form (e.g., literary, journalistic, scientific, cartographic, computer programs, visual arts, photographic)—requires prior and explicit consent from Wirtualna Polska Media Spółka Akcyjna, headquartered in Warsaw, the owner of this website, regardless of the method of exploration and the technique used (manual or automated, including the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence programs). The above restriction does not apply solely to facilitate their search by internet search engines and uses within contractual relations or permitted use as specified by applicable law.Detailed information regarding this notice can be found  here.