Re: Liopleurodon size

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Gavin Rymill wrote:

> Furthermore, any "maximum" length for a known dinosaur is likely to have
> less than any species achieved in life. I can't believe for one second that
> all the skeletons found just happen to represent the biggest member that
> ever lived of each species!!

Using modern reptiles as a template, dinosaur species most likely kept on 
growing throughout their lives, but once they hit adulthood the rate of 
growth slowed.  I don't know if small theropods and enantiornithines 
followed this rule, or, if like modern birds (and mammals), individual 
growth ceased at a certain point.

> However, if you're dealing strictly with facts then fair enough, its best 
> to
> stick with the stronger evidence and therefore more conservative estimates.
> But, if you're only dealing with facts, Walking with Dinosaurs should never
> have been made at all... which would have been a great loss.


Stay tuned.  There's a sequel in the works.  Provisionally titled "Walking 
with Beasts" it follows the evolution of mammals.  Rumored to feature some 
early whales of the amphibious _Ambulocetus_ variety.


Tim


------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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