Re: First nest of Protoceratops

[Jura <pristichampsus@yahoo.com>]

"The analysis of the 70-million-year-old nest by Fastovsky and his 
colleagues found that all 15 dinosaurs -- at least 10 of which are 
complete specimens -- were about the same size and had achieved the same state 
of growth and development, suggesting they represent a single 
clutch from a single mother. The discovery also indicates that the young 
dinosaurs remained in the nest through the early stages of postnatal 
development and were cared for by their parents."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Possibly, but as there was no mention of adult fossils being found associated 
another alternative hypothesis was that these are all recently hatched young 
that had spent a few days in the nest prior to breaking out all at once. They 
just so happened to get buried before the great exodus.

Or

They represent a creche of individuals that were living in a group independent 
from the adults. This would call into question the assumption that they were in 
a nest, instead of something more like a makeshift bed similar to the ones box 
turtles, deer and dogs make.

I hope the eventual paper covers these alternative scenarios.

Jason





----- Original Message -----
> From: Guy Leahy <xrcizeguy@hotmail.com>
> To: dinosaur@usc.edu
> Cc: 
> Sent: Tuesday, 22 November 2011 10:46 PM
> Subject: First nest of Protoceratops
> 
> 
> Very cool:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111121104144.htm
> 
> Guy Leahy
>