Bipedalism

[rjmeyer@ix.netcom.com (Rob Meyerson)]

***WARNING: Speculation Ahead***

Every once in a while we bat around different ideas for the evolution of 
bipedalism: here's an idea for discussion.

The other day, I was shopping in the local wharehouse-style pet store (one of 
the ones where they allow pets in the store), and observed what I considered to 
be an unusual behavior for a German Shepherd (I don't own one, so I don't know 
what they're capable of doing).  In order to see what was going on behind a 
counter, it stood on it's hind legs.  Being bipedal gave the animal at least 
two extra feet of hight, allowing it to see what it needed. Being momentarily 
bipedal allowed the German Shepherd to see higher than it could before.

Could this be a part of the explanation for bipedalism in theropods?  When the 
"dawn theropods" began to stand up, did this behavior give them a greater range 
of vision, enabling them to see higher and farther than before?  If so, then 
this behavioral trait would have an adaptive advantage, which would also select 
for any physical traits that would help this behavior to develop.  Perhaps this 
explains why theropods were so successful as a predator.

Open for discussion.


Shalom,

Rob Meyerson

***
"Listen to the song, not the words."
                -Kosh