/sci/ - Science & Math

>>6312181
>is there a database that contains filtered information on theropods? You know, something organized like name/weight/dimensions/foot-size/tooth-size. Just some concise database? This doesn't have to only include theropods but I have an interest in formulating more refined theories about foot-tooth-weight ratios

No, this is something you'd have to collect on your own.

there's no reason to include that kind of information in a single database, so it's all just kindof floating around in thousands of different osteologies.

one problem you're going to find is that most theropods aren't known from both teeth and feet, and in many cases neither is known. Of the small percentage where both are known, there's usually a problem in determining that the feet and the teeth came from the same animal- articulated body fossils are rare.

sounds like an interesting project though, and if you have any questions I happen to study theropod teeth. I won't be around too much longer tonight though, so you're always welcome to pose questions at my usual haunt on /an/. It's a slow board but you'll find me there most days.

>>4727420
the animal in the movie is too large to be Velociraptor.

it's also too short and broad in the snout and skull.

they called it Velociraptor, but it isn't modeled after Velociraptor.

Velociraptor size estimates are based on the size range of specimens found and the fusion of skull bones.

neither is particularly compelling evidence.

we've only found parts of about 15 of the things, so the sample isn't large.

well-fused crania seem to indicate maturity in many theropods, except of course when it doesn't. It may be a dimorphic trait, and certainly some theropods fused cranial sutures at a very early age. Some had bones that never fused. So that varies.

Often we find samples of theropods with the vast majority at a certain upper size limit and then like one or two bones that are 2-3 times the estimated adult size... An example is Allosaurus... about 100 adult specimens cap out in the 26 foot range, but we have two specimens ("Epanterias," "Saurophaginax") in the 45 foot range.

so it's likely that some theropods at least didn't have a determinate growth pattern, but that extremely large specimens were also extremely rare.

so Velociraptor may very well have reached JP sizes on occasion, and we may just have yet to find the big ones. When dealing with like 15 fossils it's difficult to be too positive about things like adult size limits.