Re: Diplos Teeth

["King, Norm" <nking.ucs@smtp.usi.edu>]

Martin Human asked (04/03/96; 12:10p):

>> Hmm.  Perhaps the diplodocids were stripping whole branches (or
>> multiple branches at a time) while the camarasaurs, etc., nipped
>> individual leaves or needle clumps or whatever.  I am not the first to
>> suggest this.
>
> Could large peglike teeth be used for stripping pine cones from
> trees, but leaving the needles on the branches?

I read somewhere that stomach contents had been found for a sauropod (I 
don't remember what family), which included short segments of woody twigs 
about a cm in diameter.  That particular animal apparently ripped off 
whole branches and swallowed them, allowing gizzard stones to pulverize 
the bulk material.  Very non-selective feeding.  Does anyone know more 
about this find?


*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Norman R. King                                       tel:  (812) 464-1794
Department of Geosciences                            fax:  (812) 464-1960
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712                      e-mail:  nking.ucs@smtp.usi.edu