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| Stegosaurs, Toucans and Thermoregulation | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 26 2009, 10:23 AM (330 Views) | |
| lamna | Sep 26 2009, 10:23 AM Post #1 |
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I was reading my copy of BBC Wildlife Magazine when I saw an article on toucans. scientists observed with thermal cameras how toucans use their massive bills for heat exchange and that got me thinking. Toucans are related Stegosaurs, albeit it a bit distantly and the structure of Toucan's beaks and Stegosaur's plate are roughly similer, bone with a rich blood supply and a layer of keratin on top. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8165895.stm I think this could bring more weight to the idea that they were for heat exchange and not solely for display. Both Elephants and Toucans use their heat exchange devices (ears and bills) for display, why not them? I'm starting to wonder if the frills of ceratopsians did not start out as a way to cool the animal and ended up being for display too. |
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Living Fossils Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural 34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur. [flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash] | |
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| Carlos | Sep 26 2009, 02:14 PM Post #2 |
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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Interesting indeed. I really don't know how ceratopsian frills evolved, and they might have started as part of the bone structure dedicated to support the jaw muscles before evolving into that stravagant direction. Modern crocs also use their scutes as thermoregulation devices, which only makes you even more right |
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Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro ![]() | |
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| lamna | Sep 26 2009, 02:35 PM Post #3 |
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They do? They look so small, I suppose they have loads though. |
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Living Fossils Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural 34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur. [flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash] | |
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| Carlos | Sep 26 2009, 02:38 PM Post #4 |
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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I think they do that mainly with the long ones they have in the tail, which form the "tail fin". Most likely they use the other ones as well, since they have their entire backs covered in scutes |
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Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro ![]() | |
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| lamna | Sep 26 2009, 02:46 PM Post #5 |
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Yeah the surface area must really add up. |
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Living Fossils Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural 34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur. [flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash] | |
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