[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index][Subject Index][Author Index]

[dinosaur] Psittacosaurus cloacal opening (free pdf)




Ben Creisler
bcreisler@gmail.com

Now a formal paper:

Free pdf:

Jakob Vinther, Robert Nicholls & Diane A. Kelly (2021)
A cloacal opening in a non-avian dinosaur.
Current Biology (advance online publication)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.039
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(20)31891-1

Free pdf:
https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0960-9822%2820%2931891-1



The Frankfurt specimen of Psittacosaurus sp. (SMF R 4970) from the Early Cretaceous Jehol deposits of Liaoning (Figure S1) exhibits the best preservation of scale-clad integument in any non-avian dinosaur yet described. Preservation of colour patterns and countershading allowed a detailed reconstruction of this individualâs physical appearance suggesting it was camouflaged for life in a shaded lighting environment. It was previously noted that the cloacal region was preserved, but its detailed anatomy was incorrectly reconstructed. We show here that the fine anatomy of the vent is remarkably well preserved and can be retrodeformed to illustrate its three-dimensional nature. The ventâs scale anatomy and pigmentation are distinct from adjacent body regions, and although its anatomy does not reveal much information about the ecology, or sex, of this dinosaur, it suggests possible roles for visual and olfactory signalling.

====

News:

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2021/january/dino-vent.html

https://phys.org/news/2021-01-all-purpose-dinosaur-reconstructed.html

https://scitechdaily.com/all-purpose-dinosaur-opening-used-for-defecation-urination-and-breeding-reconstructed-for-first-time/

https://gizmodo.com/at-long-last-paleontologists-scrutinize-a-dinosaur-clo-1846084896

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/world/dinosaur-fossil-sex-study-scn/index.html

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2265202-stunning-fossil-suggests-dinosaurs-lured-mates-with-smell-and-vision/

Virus-free. www.avg.com