Years ago Gregory S. Paul put forth the idea that the Spinosaurs evolved from animals like Dilophosaurus. They do look a lot alike, but current thinking has the spinosaurs evolving from animals similar to Torvosaurus (I'm saying Torvosaurs since I have no idea what's going on with the megalosaurs right now.) But could the similar look be the result of convergent evolution? (animals evolving similar appearance because they preform the same function, like dolphins and icthyosaurs, or Thylacines and the dog) Were Dilophosaurs also fish eaters? I have no real idea but a current study that tests isotopes in teeth might be the answer. They finally published a study on the teeth of spinosaurs that shows they were more aquatic in there habitats than other theropods, or at least most other theropods.
So does the similar look of Dilophosaurs hint at a Spinosaur like life style? Most likely not, they appear to just be ramped up Coelophysids. But one never knows, maybe we'll find a Dilophosaur with fish in it's belly like the British Baryonyx:)
For more information on swimming Spinosaurs go here!
Best,
Brett
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Great ramped-up coelophysid!
ReplyDeleteAbout fish-eating in these guys - there was a Coelophysis coprolite on the NMMNH block that was packed with what *might* be digested fish scales. Closest thing I know to a fish in the belly.
However this article (5Mb PDF) makes an interesting case for fishing dilophosaurs based on swim tracks from Utah...
Thanks for the article Matt! I've seen a few images of them swimming but just thought it was trying to explain a swimming theropod and they just stuck Dilophosaurus in. With that new Spinosaur paper, maybe testing the teeth of Dilophosaurus isn't such a bad idea:)
ReplyDeleteYou earn something new everyday:)
Best,
Brett