The reason why dinosaurs dominated the planet

It wasn't the tumor or the large, scary teeth that took over the ground Dinosaurs For more than 160 million years. Study it It has been published In the Royal Society Open Science It reveals that evolutionary adaptation was their advantage over all other species.

More specifically, walking with two legs, but also with four legs, distinguished it from other organisms, such that it took the lead among terrestrial vertebrates that vied for dominance, since the end of the Triassic (200 to 250 million years ago). Until its extinction about 66 million years ago.

The main contender was the pseudopod, a species that includes the ancestors of crocodiles. Some of them were small, bipedal, and ate insects. Most of them were medium to large sized carnivores and herbivores.

Dinosaurs have prevailed in the crisis

Research him University of Bristol Fossil foot bones from 208 species of avemetatarsalians, pseudosophians, and their close relatives were used to determine changes over time.

They described how dinosaurs adapted to gaps created by a series of environmental collapses.

Because they walked on their hind legs, and later on all fours, they had a distinct advantage during a period of massive environmental change – the Triassic period being marked by drought.

«In this crisis that arose 233 million years ago, the dinosaurs triumphedHe explained to press release From the university or the authors of the publication, Amy Shipley.

He added, “At that time the climate changed from wet to dry, and there was severe pressure on food. Somehow, dinosaurs, which had been around in low numbers for 20 million years, sprang into existence. This falsehood was not followed.”

The ability that dinosaurs acquired to move quickly enhanced their ability to avoid predators, but also to catch prey.

“Presumably, dinosaurs were also good at conserving water, as are many reptiles and birds today. However, our evidence shows that their greater adaptability in walking and running played a major role.”

Professor at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Mike Benton He indicated that “Most of the pseudopods disappeared in the mass extinction, except for the ancestors of crocodiles. We found that these surviving dinosaurs expanded their range of movement again, occupying many vacant habitats».

Hey doctor Tom StubbsThe authors also concluded that “We always think of dinosaurs as huge and dangerous. The findings remind us that dinosaurs actually started out as insectivores. The first dinosaurs were only one meter long, and were bipedal».

After the mass extinction in the Triassic, they reached 10 meters in length and many were quadrupedal.

The diversity of their stances and focus on fast running meant that dinosaurs could diversify when given the opportunity.