Discovery of Fossilized Juices Gives New Insigts into Extinction

["D.I.G." <dinosaur@dinosaur.org>]

We'd like to pass along this exclusive which we received this morning.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Roanoak, Virginia
April 1, 1998
Winston-Salem University

Discovery of Fossilized Juices Gives New Insights Into Extinction

Paleontologists Dr. R. Reynolds, M. Arlboro, and Joseph C. Amel have
announced a new paper to be published about fossilized juices found in
the K-T boundary neary Roanoak, Virginia.

The juices, found in small patty like concretions, resemble those of
modern tobacco plants.  Nearby are the perforated jugals of several
large saurian species.

"We've long wondered what caused the strange little holes in the jugals
(jaws) of many large dinosaurs, and now we have evidence!" Dr. Amel said
on behalf of the team. "Apparently,  certain juvenile members of the
clade Tyrranasauridae chewed on ancient plants and held the soggy
remains in their mouths for extended periods of time before they finally
spat them out. This would account for bone degeneration and the tiny
holes!"

Like coprolites (dino scat), these fossilized juice patties are found in
great numbers in this area along with so many degenerated bones that the
evidence is incontrovertible. Apparently dinosaurs gathered together in
large groups to engage in this specialized form of plant mastication.

"If we find these juice patties on other continents, it will prove
beyond a doubt that this strange food ingestion or abuse was a leading
cause of dinosaur extinction on the K-T boundary!" Dr. Arlboro
exclaimed.

This evidence has been available for a long time, but was supressed by
the corporations which owned much of the land which held the "juice
patties." Excavation was carried out at night using flashlights. The
remains were so prolific, however, that hardly any time was needed to
dig up thousands of samples. The landowners, however, would not give
permission for paleontologists to examine the "patties" until recently.

"Why would anyone conceal such important evidence?" Dr. Reynolds
wondered. "Go figure."


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-- 
AOL IM Pager - DinoEditor
ichat PAGER - dinogazette

When you think of dinosaurs, think of DIG!
The Dinosaur Interplanetary Gazette - 245 Million Years of News at
Dinosaur Central
http://www.dinosaur.org
Recommended by The National Education Association,Encyclopedia
Britannica Internet Guide, Yahoo Editor's Choice, Member of The Paleo
Ring

Teefr - An extraordinary tale of adventure by Edward Summer 
http://www.dinosaur.org/teefr.html
Book Three of the Teddy Quartet, Member of The Author Ring.

Laser Publishing Group, Planetarium Station, Box 502-DIG, NY, NY
10024-0502