Slashdot Mirror


T. Rex Protein Analysis Supports Dinosaur-Bird Link

LanMan04 writes "For the first time, researchers have read the biological signature of a Tyrannosaur — a signature that confirms the increasingly accepted view that modern birds are the descendants of dinosaurs. Analyzing the organic material (collagen protein) found inside the unique fossil linked the collagen to several extant species. The bottom line is that the T. rex's biological signature was most like a bird's, at least based on the first fragmentary data. "It looks like chicken may be the closest among all species that are present in today's databases for proteins and genomes," one of the scientists interviewed said."

8 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. That makes sense by bonefry · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I know why ... everything tastes like chicken

  2. An interesting resolution... by Garridan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Interesting resolution to an old debate:

    Which came first, the chicken or the egg? T-Rex!

  3. Here comes the rooster by StikyPad · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've always thought roosters had that look in their eye.. you know.... like they'd eat you in a second, if they could.

    1. Re:Here comes the rooster by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 5, Funny

      Funny. I bet he thinks the same thing about you. I bet he's telling his rooster friends on Sqwackdot right now!

      --
      "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    2. Re:Here comes the rooster by d3m0nCr4t · · Score: 5, Funny

      >. news for chickens. Stuff that matters.

  4. ObHicks by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Dinosaur fossils? God put those there to test our faith."

    "I think God put you here to test my faith, Dude."

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  5. Please forgive me by truckaxle · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new edible and delicious overloads (hmmm extra crispy or original recipe ....)

  6. Re:Since "tastes like chicken" has been done... by Tackhead · · Score: 5, Funny
    > I'd just like to say "How the mighty have fallen".

    I'll give it a try.

    I met a traveller from an antique land
    Who said: Two former drumsticks, turn'd to stone,
    Stand in Wyoming. Near them on the sand,
    Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
    And razor teeth and sneer of cold command
    Tell that its sculptor well those proteins read
    Which yet survive, stamp'd in this lifeless thing,
    The hand that mock'd them and the mouth that fed.
    And in the fossil rock these words appear:
    "My name is Tyrannosaur, Chicken King"
    Look on my works, ye primates, and cluck!"
    Nothing beside remains: round the decay
    Of that colossal Rex, asteroid-fuck'd,
    The lone and level sands stretch far away.

    - With apologies to Percy Bysshe Shelley. I think it's still a sonnet.