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Title: Meet the new dinosaur scientists believe is the 'missing link' in prehistoric evolution
Source:
Daily Mail Online
URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet ... ink-prehistoric-evolution.html
Published: Apr 13, 2011
Author: Daily Mail Reporter
Post Date: 2011-04-13 08:16:50 by Sebastian
Keywords: None
Views: 6813
Comments: 7
- Daemonosaurus chauliodus had two legs and unusually large eyes when it lived 205million years ago
- The New Mexico find could help scientists fill in the gaps of an incomplete period of prehistoric evolution
With its large eyes and slanted teeth, Daemonosaurus chauliodus may look like any other of its prehistoric contemporaries.
But this new species of dinosaur - described as having large eyes, buck teeth and being the same size as a large dog - has caused quite a stir in archaeological circles.
The fossil remains of the Daemonosaurus were discovered in New Mexico at a renowned dinosaur site - and it is thought the find could fill in the gaps of an incomplete period of prehistoric evolution.
Digging for clues: Daemonosaurus may have been a 'missing link' between early and later dinosaurs, scientists believe
Daemonosaurus, which ate meat, walked on two legs and has unusually large eyes, dates back to a time early in the dinosaurs' reign during the Triassic Period around 205million years ago.
Fossils of the creature's 5.5in skull and neck were unearthed at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, a well-known dinosaur site. From these finds, scientists estimated its probable size.
Daemonosaurus is derived from the Greek word 'daemon' meaning 'supernatural being' - because of Ghost Ranch - and 'sauros' meaning 'lizard'.
The species name 'chauliodus' is derived from the Greek word for 'buck toothed' and refers to the animal's large slanted front teeth.
Skull: Narrow and relatively deep, the Daemonosaurus' skull is 5.5inches long and has disproportionately large eye sockets
A description of Daemonosaurus appears today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Scientists believe Daemonosaurus may have been a 'missing link' between early predatory dinosaurs from what is now Argentina and Brazil, and later 'theropod' species such as Tyrannosaurus rex.
Dr Hans Sues, from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who led the US team, said: 'Various features of the skull and neck in Daemonosaurus indicate that it was intermediate between the earliest known predatory dinosaurs from South America and more advanced theropod dinosaurs.
'One such feature is the presence of cavities on some of the neck vertebrae related to the structure of the respiratory system.' 
Dog-sized: Daemonosaurus dates back to a time early in the dinosaurs' reign
Another group of scientists writing in the same journal described how birds inherited their sense of smell from dinosaurs.
Most experts agree that birds evolved from meat-eating theropod dinosaurs which stood on two legs.
Previously it was thought that birds scaled down their sense of smell while improving their vision and developing the balance and coordination needed for flight.
The new research, based on CT scans of fossil skulls, suggests that the first birds had an even better smell sense than their dinosaur ancestors.
Study leader Dr Darla Zelenitsky, from the University of Calgary in Canada, said: 'Surprisingly, our research shows that the sense of smell actually improved during dinosaur-bird evolution, like vision and balance.'
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Daemonosaurus
Okay, I can accept having Bongo as a cousin but I draw the line on the demon being part of my family beyond having two eyes and better teeth.
#2. To: harrowup (#1)
Okay, I can accept having Bongo as a cousin but I draw the line on the demon being part of my family beyond having two eyes and better teeth.
Wait till next week. By then, here will be a new theory or another book to be sold. And a whole new set of 'facts' to back it up.
#3. To: Sebastian (#2)
Come to think of it the last time I was in that part of New Mexico, there were some funny creatures in an about the trailer parks.
#4. To: Sebastian (#0)
# Daemonosaurus chauliodus had two legs and unusually large eyes when it lived 205million years ago
I'll bet they were delicious.
#5. To: Sebastian (#0)
I'm still trying to recover from the red M&M that was going to kill us all, coffee and eggs are going to kill us all, the sudden, pervasive peanut allergy where none existed before and 'restless leg' syndrome, complete with its overnight pharmaceutical cure and global ice age changed to global warming.
Then I'll believe what the caste of know-it-alls have to sell out of the trunk of their car.
Actually, I feel sorry for you, yu-klown. Growing up with Sally as a mother would probably turn anyone queer.
#6. To: We The People (#4)
I'll bet they were delicious.
"I'll have two Daemonosaurus chauliodus eggs over easy and home fries."
#1. To: Goldi-Lox (#0) I used the wrong link. yukon posted on 2011-03-27 1:40:47 ET
#7. To: Sebastian (#0)
Another group of scientists writing in the same journal described how birds inherited their sense of smell from dinosaurs.
That preposterous assertion is based on ZERO evidence. Science at its worst.
#1. To: Goldi-Lox (#0) I used the wrong link. yukon posted on 2011-03-27 1:40:47 ET
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