http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2010/04/rare-juvenile-diplodocus-skull-tells-of-changing-dino-diets/ Where Paleontology Meets Pop Culture Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:48:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2010/04/rare-juvenile-diplodocus-skull-tells-of-changing-dino-diets/comment-page-1/#comment-3442 Cornelius Carr Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:57:37 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/?p=2999#comment-3442 Although the interpretation of the varying skull size and shape due to diet among juvenile and adult diplocaci is plausible, it needs to be strengthened by some coprolitic/gastrolithic evidence. Changes in anatomy and morphology may be proper to the species, with little connection to diet. The smaller head of the adult could simply be an adaptation that takes weight off of the wonderfully long neck of the adult and places it somewhere else. Although the interpretation of the varying skull size and shape due to diet among juvenile and adult diplocaci is
plausible, it needs to be strengthened by some coprolitic/gastrolithic evidence. Changes in anatomy and morphology may be proper to the species, with little connection to diet. The smaller head of the adult could simply be an adaptation that takes weight off of the wonderfully long neck of the adult and places it somewhere else.

]]> http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2010/04/rare-juvenile-diplodocus-skull-tells-of-changing-dino-diets/comment-page-1/#comment-1824 Doug Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:27:43 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/?p=2999#comment-1824 Very interesting. I have had a similar idea regarding t. rex. Specimens show that as hey grew, their slender teeth were replaced by thicker teeth. Some cite this as evidence that t. rex was a scavenger. But i though that it was because the juveniles hunted small prey (thescelosaurus, pachycephalosaurus) and then when they grew up they matured to much larger prey (triceratops, edmontosaurus). just a thought. But it is interesting seeing it found in a dinosaur. Boy do we still have a lot to learn. Very interesting. I have had a similar idea regarding t. rex. Specimens show that as hey grew, their slender teeth were replaced by thicker teeth. Some cite this as evidence that t. rex was a scavenger. But i though that it was because the juveniles hunted small prey (thescelosaurus, pachycephalosaurus) and then when they grew up they matured to much larger prey (triceratops, edmontosaurus). just a thought. But it is interesting seeing it found in a dinosaur. Boy do we still have a lot to learn.

]]> http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2010/04/rare-juvenile-diplodocus-skull-tells-of-changing-dino-diets/comment-page-1/#comment-1823 Kate Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:17:14 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/?p=2999#comment-1823 Woah, that's really interesting! So I'm guessing they also had a period of losing their baby teeth as they aged? Woah, that’s really interesting! So I’m guessing they also had a period of losing their baby teeth as they aged?

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