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Re: Velociraptor scavenged azhdarchid pterosaur
On Tue, Mar 6th, 2012 at 9:54 AM, Tim Williams <tijawi@gmail.com> wrote:
> Henrique Niza <drdinopt@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I think it is far reasonable to assume, considering the difference in
> > body size between the two specimens preserved, that the Protoceratops
> > was the one attacking the Velociraptor and not the other way around.
>
>
> I disagree. When a carnivore like _Velociraptor_ is preserved locked
> in combat with a herbivore like _Protoceratops_... I tend to think
> that the carnivore might be the aggressor here. After all, this *is*
> _Velociraptor_.
Why is it automatically assumed that protoceratops was a herbivore? Surely the
old days of the
theropod=carnivore / non-theropod=herbivore dichotomy are long behind us. I
don't see any
reason to discount omnivory amongst ceratopsians in general (even if most
carcasses were
scavenged rather than actively taken down).
The idea that dromaeosaurs were hypercarnivores is surely also an assumption.
They may of just
as well had a broader diet similar to extant canids, for which plant matter can
form a considerable
part of the diet. It doesn't take any obvious dental specialisations to swallow
the occasional bit of
fruit or fungus.
> Why would the _Velociraptor_ get too close to the _Protoceratops_...
> if not for the obvious reason?
Nest robbing comes to mind. A Velociraptor caught in the act might earn the ire
of the egg layer.
Killing and eating the intruder might just be a beneficial biproduct of nest
defense.
--
_____________________________________________________________
Dann Pigdon
Spatial Data Analyst Australian Dinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia http://home.alphalink.com.au/~dannj
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