Dinosaurs!!!
Here
are my thoughts on the article I have recently read on Biologynews.net titled New Species of pterosaur discovered in
Patagonia. Briefly, this article
relates the findings of a new species of pterosaur in Argentina (which happened
to be in quite excellent shape), defines the type of species that was found,
and how some anatomical research was performed.
Though I am not a connoisseur of the Mesozoic Era, I found this article
to be quite interesting due to explanation of the name the species received,
the teaching of simple facts about this species, and how research was carried
out with help of Dr. Diego Pol.
The
name given to this new species is ‘Allkauren koi.’ This name derives from the
native Tehuelche word ‘all’, being interpreted for brain, and ‘karuen’, being
interpreted for ancient. In this case,
the creatures simple name is ‘All brain’, which made me ponder why this was
chosen for this species. I read over the
following body of text to learn that pterorsaurs were flying reptiles, that adapted
quite tremendously to flying, had “pneumatic bones to lighten its weight”, and
an “elongated digit” to support the wing membrane.
I continued to find in the third section of
this article that in order to study the neurocranial anatomy of this species,
‘researchers used computed tomography to observe, in three dimensions, the
cranial endocast and the inner ear. Dr. Pol relates the results: “Allkaruen,
from the middle lower Jurassic limit, shows an intermediate state in the brain
evolution of pterosaurs and their adaptations to the aerial environment.”
In his
own words, Dr. Pol stated “As a result, this research makes an important
contribution to the understanding of evolution of all of pterosaurs.” I
congratulate and encourage Dr. Pol and his fellow researchers to press on with
these advantageous findings in order for us, unlearned Mesozoic Era beings, to
find more interest and knowledge pertaining to these topics.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/03/11/paleontologists_discover_250millionyearold_new_species_of_reptile_in_brazil.html
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/03/11/paleontologists_discover_250millionyearold_new_species_of_reptile_in_brazil.html
Hi Tanner,
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs are interesting. This topic is good for showing connection between natural selection and evolution. Ties into Darwin and Wallace as well. So I am assuming the reason for the name All Brain is because of the adaptation to flying. I wonder if that is a correct correlation though. Evolution occurs through the process of natural selection. Natural selection is not necessarily survival of the fittest when it comes to brain power or muscles but the ability to reproduce and pass along traits that are favorable for survival. If this pterosaur had lighten bone weight and a elongated digit to support the wing membrane that adaptation would have been through natural selection and evolution not necessarily through brain power. Did the article say if they have found more fossils or only the one? Maybe it was a mutation? Or maybe it could have been from genetic drift due to a small gene pool?
Interesting read. Thanks for sharing.
RW
Tanner,
ReplyDeleteI can see why you would have found this article to be so interesting. The fact that dinosaurs are even mentioned catches my attention, but the fact that this is a new specie of dinosaur only recently discover even more so. I also find interesting the fact that you mentioned that scientist believe that Allkauren Koi to have evolved to be an aerial reptile. That is something to be scared about right there, and then to think that it's name means "all brain" just adds to how crazy this thing must have been, imagine, a flying, extremely smart, and very dangerous crocodile or some other reptile of sorts. I would be terrified to say the least.
-J.A.
I think it is really cool that scientists are still discovering things about that era. Dinosaurs are amazing discoveries, and to find a whole new species is incredible. How much of the organism did they find? And what qualifications did it have to be considered a new species?
ReplyDeleteM.E.
Did they give a specific time for how long ago this species lived? Or from what species it evolved? J. RYAN
ReplyDeleteIt is fantastic that a new interspecies of the pterodactyl was found, thus shedding light on the evolutionary process of that particular species of dinosaur. SRH
ReplyDeletethis article is one that would catch a lot of attention from the public eye. everybody likes to learn about dinosaurs and especially if they were just found. I would like to see if there are any other bones that are found in other parts of the world. they were found in Argentina, Is there any other that they are related to that were found there as well ? which dinosaur is this closely related too ? why were they not found with where the other bones were found ?
ReplyDelete-MM
I noticed you said they used three dimension to have a better idea of the reptile does it say how big it was was?
ReplyDeleteRuth Guerra