Table of Contents
- 1 Which of the following is considered possible evidence of Endothermy in some or all dinosaurs?
- 2 Why are dinosaurs considered Mesotherms?
- 3 How did researchers determine the body mass of dinosaurs?
- 4 What kind of evidence from fossils might help determine whether dinosaurs were ectotherms or Endotherms?
- 5 What are the arguments for the existence of endothermic dinosaurs?
- 6 Are ectothermic reptiles colder than endothermic mammals?
Which of the following is considered possible evidence of Endothermy in some or all dinosaurs?
Bone histology in dinosaurs is evidence for endothermy.
How can you tell that dinosaurs were endothermic?
The results of both the simple and complex method were in very close agreement: based on the energy they consumed when moving, many dinosaurs were probably endothermic, athletic animals because their energy requirements during walking and running were too high for cold-blooded animals to produce.
Why are dinosaurs considered Mesotherms?
When the researchers examined how fast dinosaurs grew, they found that the animals resembled neither mammals nor modern reptiles, and were neither ectotherms nor endotherms. Instead, dinosaurs occupied a middle ground, making them so-called “mesotherms.”
What kinds of evidence from fossils might help determine whether dinosaurs were ectotherms or Endotherms?
“There is evidence from dinosaur trackways, mass accumulations of certain dinosaur fossils, and nesting sites that dinosaurs were social animals. Some have argued that such sophisticated behavior is suggestive of warm-bloodedness. “Birds are warm-blooded and probably evolved from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs.
How did researchers determine the body mass of dinosaurs?
First, they used growth rings and the dimensions of fossil dinosaur bones to estimate growth rate and body mass (respectively) of 21 species of extinct dinosaurs. Then, using the correlation between growth rate and metabolic rate across clades of living species, they predicted the dinosaurs’ metabolic rates.
Why do scientists think dinosaurs had scales?
Because dinosaurs were recognized as reptiles, and reptiles are defined by their scales and their cold-blooded metabolism. Obviously, barring evidence to the contrary, dinosaurs must have been scaly and cold.
What kind of evidence from fossils might help determine whether dinosaurs were ectotherms or Endotherms?
What evidence can you get from a fossil?
Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient life that are usually buried in rocks. Examples include bones, teeth, shells, leaf impressions, nests, and footprints. This evidence reveals what our planet was like long ago. Fossils also show how animals changed over time and how they are related to one another.
What are the arguments for the existence of endothermic dinosaurs?
Here are the five main arguments for endothermic dinosaurs (some of which are challenged below, in the “Arguments Against” section). At least some dinosaurs were active, smart, and fast. Dinosaur bones show evidence of endothermic metabolism. Many dinosaur fossils have been found at high latitudes.
Did dinosaurs have warm-blooded metabolism?
Because there are no living dinosaurs around to be dissected (with one possible exception, which we’ll get to below), most of the evidence for warm-blooded metabolism stems from modern theories about dinosaur behavior.
Are ectothermic reptiles colder than endothermic mammals?
As you may have surmised from the above definitions, it doesn’t necessarily follow that an ectothermic reptile literally has colder blood, temperature-wise, than an endothermic mammal.
Are birds endothermic or ectothermic?
Anyway, in the modern world, mammals and birds are both endothermic and homeothermic (i.e., “warm-blooded”), while most reptiles (and some fish) are both ectothermic and poikilothermic (i.e., “cold-blooded”).