More Antarctic Dinosaurs

RockDoctor writes "The highly respected palaeontology journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica has published its December number for free access on the Web, with the headline paper concerning new discoveries of dinosaurs from Antarctica. (Paper here, PDF.) The first major part of these discoveries was made in 1991, when isolated bones of a sauropod (a relative of the Apatosaurus, formerly known as Brontosaurus) were found associated with a theropod (ancestor or cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex). The sauropod has been named Glacialisaurus hammeri (the reason for the genus name is obvious, and Professor Hammer led the field expeditions under 'extremely difficult conditions'). The herbivore was some 25 ft. long and weighed 4 to 6 tons; at the time of life, the area was between 55 and 65 degrees south, suggesting a climate similar to the Falkland Islands or Tierra del Fuego."

Comments

Antarctica?

[oahazmatt]

So that's where Jesus hid them all!

I'm ready to be modded down, now.

Re:Antarctica?

[Anonymous Coward]

It amazes me that new facts like this come out every week, sometimes even every day and it never penetrates the thickness of global warming idiots. Public education's moment to shine.

This is not a new fact. If you weren't a home schooled ignoramus, you'd know that every climate researcher is aware that the earth has been dozens of degrees hotter in the past, and has also probably been so cold that it was frozen over in a thick sheet of ice even at the equator. The wee little problem is that human civilization would not survive either case. If you'd received any inkling of a proper education, you'd also know about continental drift, so you'd realize that Antarctica wasn't anywhere near the south pole at the time these animals were alive.

Formerly Brontosaurus??

[Anonymous Coward]

When & why did we stop calling a brontosaurus a brontosaurus?

Next thing you'll tell me we only have 8 planets!

Re:Formerly Brontosaurus??

[eln]

The Brontosaurus had a dispute with his record company, and the name change was his "first step toward the ultimate goal of emancipation from the chains that bound" him to that record label, since the label owned all the trademarks to the name. After first changing his name to an unpronounceable symbol, he later changed it to "the Artist Formerly Known as Brontosaurus" before finally settling on "Apatosaurus".

Honestly, didn't they teach you anything in school?

Re:Formerly Brontosaurus??

[LiquidCoooled]

It was changed by a group of jobsworths who decided sometime after we left school that all these things needed changing.
Incidentally one of their former classmates invented the gibibyte.

Re:brontosaurus

[Anonymous Coward]

'Brontosaurus' is someone's intellectual property. In fact, someone will be along shortly to kick in our doors and arrest us.

Headline: Antarctica

[Penguinisto]

Scott Polar Station (DevNull): Today, Researchers have discovered the remains of what appears to be a long-sought-after ancient creature. Labelled Minix Tannenbaumis, or just "Minix" this creature is thought to be the direct descendant of the modern-day Penguin (Linux Sapiens Sapiens).

Researchers have still to uncover this creature's habitat, but they did find the petrified parts of a corpse belonging to a rather large creature, which is referred to more commonly by its Latin name, Nix Quintis, as well as remains of another animal known as Distriae Berkeleyus; the latter was known to have been wiped out approximately sixteen million years ago due to the Netcraft epidemics, which gives us a rough idea as to how old Minix is.

A lean predator, Minix was known to be a vicious and somewhat egotistical creature, prone to fits of foaming anger and long diatribes, with which it used as a means to kill its prey.

While we do not yet know the full extent of Minix, it is well studied by previously found fragments, and today's discovery should present a far clearer picture in the years to come as it reveals its secrets.

Meanwhile, paradoxically, no trace has yet to be found of the species known as Bloatasaurus, or Vista Microsoftae. A large, slow-moving creature, this dinosaur was well known to have been a common victim of predatory attacks, and yet very few have been found. Archaeologist Steve Ballmer is heading the team searching for Bloatasaurus, though his peers still doubt his claims that "They're everywhere! It was the most popular friggin' beast alive!" Whether this creature actually existed still remains in doubt among some.

/P

Brontosaurus, thank you

[Trogre]

I prefer the traditional name for that Dino, thanks.

The name Brontosaurus strikes an image of a colossal behemoth that would crush you to paste if you got in its way.

Apatosaurus sounds like it should be serving you tea cakes.

Re:Ice

[gardyloo]

Yeah, but then someone hired by Tonya Harding comes along and whacks it in the knees. It's not a pretty picture.

And they rocked out to...

[greymond]

Hammeri Time

My, my, my, my dino hits me so hard
Makes me say oh my word
Thank you for proving me
With a mind to dig and two cold feet
Feels good when you know you're down
A superdope therapod from the oldtown
And I'm known
as such
And this is a beat uh you can touch

The sauropod has been named Glacialisaurus hammeri (the reason for the genus name is obvious, and Professor Hammer led the field expeditions under 'extremely difficult conditions')

Re:brontosaurus

[xENoLocO]

If no one else is using it, can I?

Bow before me. I am Brontosaurus. Frickin' sweet!

Re:That's impossible

[bob.appleyard]

Hear that, penguins?

Out!

Re:Global Warming

[c6gunner]

It's a well-known fact that cows produce massive amounts of GHG's.

So just think how much global warming DINO FARTS would have produced!

Seriously, it's no wonder our ancestors never got a break until those polluting beasts kicked the bucket.

Re:That's impossible

[pnewhook]

Nothing can live in the antarctic.

Well that's why they found dinosaur *bones* and not living dinosaurs!

Duh...