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Venomous dino found

  • 22-12-2009 1:30pm
    #1
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,217 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8425200.stm

    "A bird-like dinosaur that prowled an ancient forest 125 million years ago used venom to subdue its prey, according to a new theory.

    Sinornithosaurus's upper teeth resemble those of "rear-fanged" snakes which bite their prey and channel venom into the wound.

    The dinosaur probably fed on the abundant birds which inhabited what is now north-east China.

    The work appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. "

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.

    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Read about this in the paper while at work today (was hoping someone would report it here to save me some time). Thank you Mr. Wibbs.
    Somewhat annoyingly, the article linked in the OP fails to mention that there are apparent venom sacks in Sinornithosaurus' skull above the teeth, as can be seen in the image below.
    _46970095_dino466nas.jpg

    I always thought Sinornithosaurus was an odd one. While it had the famous 'raptor' claw, it was much smaller than in other similar sized relatives. I guess having venom negated the need for particularly large claws.

    prod-04-l.jpg
    Image by Jason Brougham


  • #3
    marco_polo
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 10,088 Mod ✭✭✭✭marco_polo


    Also saved me a job, this is an awesome find. Looking at the skull (and squinting a tiny bit) it could almost be a multi-fanged snake.


  • #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,599 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Reminds me of the David Caradine film Q the winged Serpent


  • #5
    Jako8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭Jako8


    In addition to birds, the raptor-like dinosaur also hunted pterosaurs, lizards, mammals and other dinosaurs, the scientists said.

    It was quite the little hunter.

    Kind of like a flying snake (that looks nothing like a snake)


  • #6
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Jako8 wrote: »
    It was quite the little hunter.

    Kind of like a flying snake (that looks nothing like a snake)

    ...and doesn't fly?


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  • #7
    Jako8
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭Jako8


    Galvasean wrote: »
    ...and doesn't fly?

    and that :p


  • #8
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Kind of cool how Michael Crichton wrote of venomous compies and Dilophosaurus in Jurassic Park. Hmm, makes you wonder if Sinornithosaurus would be a useful addition to Jurassic Park 4.


  • #9
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Now why did this not make the papers?

    Venom theory more or less discredited.


  • #10
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,217 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    You killed my zombie dinosaur thread! :)

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #11
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,599 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Galvasean wrote: »
    Now why did this not make the papers?

    Venom theory more or less discredited.
    Gong and his peers try to make their case by arguing that since venom glands evolved among lizards and snakes, it might be possible that venom could have evolved among archosaurs (the larger group to which dinosaurs belong, as well as crocodiles and pterosaurs),
    The Platypus and shrew are venomous mammals, and shrews use groves in the teeth too


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