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Title: Rewriting prehistory: Dinosaurs ate grass
Source:
AP
URL Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/ ... 117-1435-dinograss-eaters.html
Published: Nov 18, 2005
Author: Lauran Neergaard
Post Date: 2005-11-18 14:13:19 by A K A Stone
Keywords: prehistory:, Rewriting, Dinosaurs
Views: 467
Comments: 81
WASHINGTON – Imagine dinosaur terrain – full of ferns and palms, right? Better add some grass to that picture. A new discovery debunks the theory that grasses didn't emerge until long after the dinosaurs died off. Fossilized dung tells the story: The most prominent plant-eating dinosaurs were digesting different varieties of grass between 65 million and 71 million years ago, researchers report Friday in the journal Science. Advertisement Click Me! The earliest grass fossils ever found were about 55 million years old – from the post-dinosaur era. It's a big surprise for scientists, who had never really looked for evidence of grass in dino diets before. After all, grass fossils aside, those sauropods – the behemoths with the long necks and tails and small heads – didn't have the special kind of teeth needed to grind up abrasive blades. "Most people would not have fathomed that they would eat grasses," noted lead researcher Caroline Stromberg of the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Stromberg and a team of paleobotanists from India analyzed sauropod dung – the scientific term is coprolites – found in central India. The coprolites contained microscopic particles of silica called phytoliths, which form inside plant cells in distinctive patterns that essentially act as a signature. Amid the expected plants were numerous phytoliths certain to have come from the grass family, report Stromberg and Vandana Prasad of India's Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany. They included relatives of rice and bamboo and forage-type grasses. They didn't eat a lot of grass, the evidence shows. But grasses must have originated considerably earlier, well over 80 million years ago, for such a wide variety to have evolved and spread to the Indian subcontinent in time to be munched by sauropods, they concluded. "These remarkable results will force reconsideration of many long-standing assumptions" about dinosaur ecology, wrote Dolores Piperno and Hans-Dieter Sues of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in an accompanying review. Beyond the great curiosity about dinosaur life, the discovery has implications about the coevolution of this huge plant family – there are about 10,000 separate grass species – with other plant-eaters, Piperno explained. Indeed, a mysterious early mammal that roamed among the dinosaurs had more suitable teeth for grazing, raising the possibility of an early adaptation, the researchers note.
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#27. To: Dakmar (#10)
Whoa. In it's kitty martini? Cheers, Daks.
The really laid back dino's smoked it.
Ah.. I get it.. they got the munchies .. it wasn't evolution at all it was the grass :P
LOL! That's right, they got the munchies then went to sleep, they didn't even see the big one coming....now they're extinct. See what smoking dope will get ya..
Yeah..betcha they saw the blast and said .. Awesome!! .. look at the pretty lights. :P
LMAO...yeah thats the ticket.
I'm an atheist, so obviously I think all creations myths are equally silly, therefore equally valid, comparatively speaking. I don't care if they teach I.D. in public schools as philosophy or religion, but I swear to Odin I'll get my machete and hack to death the first teacher that tries out that material in a Hoosier public school. Well, I'll take a run at them and give them a good fright anyway. Who am I kidding, I'm too busy for all that. It seems obvious to me that the Earth has been around more than 6000 years just from looking at the Grand Canyon. I don't care what people believe, I care about the money they've taken from me to convince others that their belief is the correct one. I also get more than a little cranky when people say I'm evil or dull witted, or even some sort of socialist for having the worldview with which I was born. The people that think I'm a socialist are the funniest.
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
I think the Grand canyon is marvelous proof of the flood. It was created rapidly. Think of water rushing through soft dirt on a very large scale.
My daughter had a cat that loved cantalope. The few times he was able to get out of her house, or mine, for that matter, she'd get cantalope and entice him out of his hiding or nesting or roosting place with it. Mine, her Tuffy's brother, would eat lettuce.
LOL......
She's a character.. will not stop when there's an orange in the area.. there is no way you can possibly ignore her... bananas too but she's worse with an orange than she is with any type meat or anything else for that matter.. weird isnt it?
Why would God want His perfect world changed? More important, why would God make so many stupid people, who's lives at best are spent in service to tackier creatures?
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
Re teeth.. Back when Mt. St. Helens erupted in the 80s, I contacted our vet to see what, if anything, to do with our livestock (cattle). Dogs and cats were kept in doors. He said the ash fallout would play hell with their teeth; cause them to grind down rather quickly. We wound up feeding our livestock under a heavy canopy of tree cover. Trees had bloomed out their leaves; grasses weren't up enough in the pastures to turn them in there; so we continued to feed hay. Even at that, they were covered in ash. That damn stuff was able to sift through anything and get in the house. Back to teeth..........any volcanic activity spewing ash could lay on grass or other forage. And when consumed....well.....
Our critters provide us much pleasure (?). I have a friend whose little pug delights in eating cigarettes! I learned that the hard way that you don't keep a pack of cigarettes in the side pocket of your purse.....2x that little witch ate half a pack and demolished the rest to where they were unsmokable. That was back when I smoked....about 6 months before I quit.
Of course you're a troll, but let's go ahead with this anyway. Other dinosaur shit has bones. But also, you posted an article last week claiming the Earth is appx 6,000 years old because your religion trys to fit a square peg into a round hole. Fine. Now this article says "between 65 million and 71 million years ago". Which is it? Of course there were herbivore dinosaurs, there were carnivores ones which also existed prior to man. This blows the idea of original sin, as told in Genesis to shit. You can find a new source of guilt because this one doesn't hold water. With my teeth I can eat meat or vegetables.< Because you have canine teeth for tearing as well as flatter teeth for grinding. T-rex had all sharp teeth. Not a grass eater.
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It doesn't blow anything out of the water. The idea that they existed before man is speculation nothing more.
Why are you calling me a troll. Im just a nice guy that likes to discuss politics , origins and stuff like that. Any ways nice to meet you.
Im sure T-REX could have eaten meat after the curse. The world was changed then. Perhaps part of the curse.
Then why don't all the worlds soft areas have a grand canyon?
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Because their was a world wide flood. Sediment was deposited there. Then water came rushing through and carved it out. You don't think that tiny stream eroded that over millions of years do you?
Also if you have ever been through the badlands you can see where the water lines were after the flood. So obvious.
So before the curse when animals didn't die, God have commanded them to be fruitful and multiply, now realizing the Garden of Eden was a finite area (as defined later in Genesis) wouldn't that amount to a population problem? If God would have created Malthus earlier, could he have been warned of this problem?
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Who says they would have been confined to the garden of Eden when the population grew. Interesting question though. But we can only assume what the outcome would have been.
Whatever you have to believe to make the pieces fit, more power to ya. BTW, you never 'splained what's up with those dozen other species of hominids relative to the Genesis story. Were Neanderthal brought before Adam to be named? Was Cro-magnon made in God's image.
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Take it a step further and where would they live when they infested the entire earth? Would God have furnished spaceships to take them elsewhere?
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Their are many sizes and shapes of people. I know Luch for example was a fraud. Bones found hundreds of yards or further apart. Can you say piltdown man. Back to the bible. Their was a race of Giants in the bible. Remember the evil report that came back to moses. Their is also talk of a race of beings that were part angelic or something. "the sons of god" "daughters of man".
We are still not at that point today. Im sure it would work out just fine. What about the size of the sun and how if the earth was millions or billions of years old the sun would have been so large we would be charcoal.
What is a 'Luch'?
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
I appolagise. I mistyped. Lucy
Does Jesus screech in your ear real loud every time you try to spell multi-syllable words?
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
No that's what he has you for.
your tag (lmao)
No, Jesus likes me because I'm free spirited, he told me so in a dream.
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
Im sure he does. Has their ever been a time in your life when you believed in God?
Flood geology, creation geology and diluvial geology are terms used by creationists to describe the study of geologic phenomena with reference to the purported events of the Great Flood as described in Genesis. Many creationists regard Genesis as providing a scientifically accurate record for the geological history of the Earth. Specifically, the Great Flood is claimed to be the origin of most of the Earth's geological features, including sedimentary strata, fossilization, fossil fuels, submarine canyons, salt domes, and frozen mammoths. As these claims of evidence are not accepted within the science of geology, flood geology is categorized as pseudoscience
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." H.L. Mencken
Booty Body Ready for the Plush Funk - George Clinton
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
Actually their are lots and lots of scientists with scientific credentials that support creationism. Go to the badlands sometime. For miles and miles their are like mud piles, obviously laid down by the flood. Their are lines that run parallel that look like the lines where water eroded. The lines are on the same plane miles and miles apart. Only level water could accomplish that feat.
Maybe for a breif second in the early 70's, before my 85 year old great grandmother was beat to death with a walking stick by her 86 year old beau...
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
Are you saying that you don't believe because there is evil in the world?
Soft dirt??? Vishniu Schist (sp)is not "soft dirt", by a very long shot, nor are most of the other layers of the GC. Ever been to the bottom to see for yourself?
Not at all, frontline violence convinced me it was stupid to even dream most people will love or at least respect one another. My family comes from money, too, man. Don't forget that.
And I'm optimistic. See, I think you can be realistic and optimistic at the same time. I'm optimistic we'll achieve -- I know we won't achieve if we send mixed signals. I know we're not going to achieve our objective if we send mixed signals - gwbush
Comments (68 - 81) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestMy Mom used to have a cat that ate olives.
#28. To: A K A Stone (#0)
"Most people would not have fathomed that they would eat grass"
#29. To: Wrench (#28)
The really laid back dino's smoked it.
#30. To: Zipporah (#29)
Ah.. I get it.. they got the munchies .. it wasn't evolution at all it was the grass :P
#31. To: Wrench (#30)
LOL! That's right, they got the munchies then went to sleep, they didn't even see the big one coming....now they're extinct. See what smoking dope will get ya..
#32. To: Zipporah (#31)
Yeah..betcha they saw the blast and said .. Awesome!! .. look at the pretty lights. :P
#33. To: A K A Stone (#20)
On a more serious matter. What is your position? Are you a darwinist to the core? Are you not sure and open? A mix? What?
#34. To: Dakmar (#33)
It seems obvious to me that the Earth has been around more than 6000 years just from looking at the Grand Canyon.
#35. To: lodwick (#8)
#36. To: Zipporah (#9)
#37. To: rowdee (#36)
#38. To: A K A Stone (#34)
I think the Grand canyon is marvelous proof of the flood. It was created rapidly. Think of water rushing through soft dirt on a very large scale.
#39. To: Zipporah (#24)
#40. To: Zipporah (#37)
#41. To: A K A Stone (#3)
Apparently their is grass in their shit. So I guess their teeth worked fine.
#42. To: Dude Lebowski (#41)
Of course there were herbivore dinosaurs, there were carnivores ones which also existed prior to man. This blows the idea of original sin, as told in Genesis to shit.
#43. To: Dude Lebowski (#41)
Of course you're a troll, but let's go ahead with this anyway.
#44. To: Dude Lebowski (#41)
T-rex had all sharp teeth. Not a grass eater.
#45. To: A K A Stone (#34)
I think the Grand canyon is marvelous proof of the flood. It was created rapidly. Think of water rushing through soft dirt on a very large scale.
#46. To: Dude Lebowski (#45)
Then why don't all the worlds soft areas have a grand canyon?
#47. To: Dude Lebowski (#45)
#48. To: A K A Stone (#44)
Im sure T-REX could have eaten meat after the curse. The world was changed then. Perhaps part of the curse.
#49. To: Dude Lebowski (#48)
So before the curse when animals didn't die, God have commanded them to be fruitful and multiply, now realizing the Garden of Eden was a finite area (as defined later in Genesis) wouldn't that amount to a population problem? If God would have created Malthus earlier, could he have been warned of this problem?
#50. To: A K A Stone (#46)
Because their was a world wide flood. Sediment was deposited there. Then water came rushing through and carved it out. You don't think that tiny stream eroded that over millions of years do you?
#51. To: A K A Stone (#49)
Who says they would have been confined to the garden of Eden when the population grew.
#52. To: Dude Lebowski (#50)
BTW, you never 'splained what's up with those dozen other species of hominids relative to the Genesis story. Were Neanderthal brought before Adam to be named? Was Cro-magnon made in God's image.
#53. To: Dude Lebowski (#51)
Take it a step further and where would they live when they infested the entire earth? Would God have furnished spaceships to take them elsewhere?
#54. To: A K A Stone (#52)
I know Luch for example was a fraud.
#55. To: Dakmar (#54)
What is a 'Luch'?
#56. To: A K A Stone (#55)
I appolagise.
#57. To: Dakmar (#56)
Does Jesus screech in your ear real loud every time you try to spell multi-syllable words?
#58. To: Dude Lebowski (#51)
#59. To: A K A Stone (#57)
#60. To: Dakmar (#59)
No, Jesus likes me
#61. To: A K A Stone (#47)
Also if you have ever been through the badlands you can see where the water lines were after the flood. So obvious.
#62. To: A K A Stone (#60)
#63. To: Steppenwolf (#61)
As these claims of evidence are not accepted within the science of geology, flood geology is categorized as pseudoscience
#64. To: A K A Stone (#60)
Has their ever been a time in your life when you believed in God?
#65. To: Dakmar (#64)
Maybe for a breif second in the early 70's, before my 85 year old great grandmother was beat to death with a walking stick by her 86 year old beau...
#66. To: A K A Stone, dakmar (#34)
I think the Grand canyon is marvelous proof of the flood. It was created rapidly. Think of water rushing through soft dirt on a very large scale.
#67. To: A K A Stone (#65)
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