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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."

14 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Antarctica? by oahazmatt · · Score: 4, Funny

    So that's where Jesus hid them all!

    I'm ready to be modded down, now.

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  2. brontosaurus by icebones · · Score: 4, Informative

    Why did they change the name of the brontosaurus? I liked that name better.

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    1. Re:brontosaurus by eviloverlordx · · Score: 3, Informative

      Because Apatosaurus was described first. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the first name has priority. There are occasional exceptions to the rules (Boa constrictor comes to mind), but for the vast majority of cases, the ICZN is 'The Rule Book'.

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    2. Re:brontosaurus by moderatorrater · · Score: 4, Interesting

      According to wikipedia, the apatosaurus had been known well before the brontosaurus ever came around. When the paleontologist who discovered the brontosaurus assembled it, he concluded that it was different from the apatosaurus and named it accordingly. Upon further study, they discovered that they were the same type of dinosaur, and since the apatosaurus was already established when the brontosaurus came around, they decided to use that name and just make "brontosaurus" a synonym.

    3. Re:brontosaurus by xENoLocO · · Score: 4, Funny

      If no one else is using it, can I?

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

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      "The need to build the internet comes from something inside us, something programmed... something we can't resist."
  3. Image by sc0ob5 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There is an image of the thing on this blog if you are interested. http://thedragonstales.blogspot.com/2007/12/hail-glacialisaurus-hammeri.html

  4. Headline: Antarctica by Penguinisto · · Score: 4, Funny
    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

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  5. Re:Formerly Brontosaurus?? by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

    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?

  6. Re:Pop goes the theory by MalleusEBHC · · Score: 4, Insightful

    From the article...

    "This was probably due to the fact that major connections between the continents still existed at that time, and because climates were more equitable across latitudes than they are today," Smith said.

    Can we just go one discussion without bringing up global warming? While it's midly related, this is more about Pangaea and where Antarctica was 190 million years ago.

  7. Brontosaurus, thank you by Trogre · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

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  8. And they rocked out to... by greymond · · Score: 3, Funny

    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')

  9. Re:"climates were more equitable across latitudes" by pokerdad · · Score: 3, Informative

    By what mechanism?

    The same mechanisms that are said to cause globabl warming today; CO2 levels for earth peaked in the triassic period at about 3000ppm (currently at 381ppm, under 300ppm pre-industrial revolution). The higher CO2 levels led to higher levels of water vapor, and the two together made earth a big greenhouse.

    Reference

    On a bit of a tangent, I saw an interesting documentary about four years ago where a group of scientists tried to deduce of all the things needed for life on earth, what would run out first. They came to the conclusion that CO2 levels would continue to fall, till Earth became incapable of supporting plant life, and as a result any higher life form.

  10. Re:That's impossible by bob.appleyard · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hear that, penguins?

    Out!

    --
    How dare you be so modest!! You conceited bastard!!
  11. Re:"climates were more equitable across latitudes" by pnewhook · · Score: 3, Informative

    then surely the global climate would have been similar to todays and the polar bits (that have moved out of the way now) would have been frozen, as they are today.

    Actually no. The only reason we have ice at the poles is because we are coming out of an ice age. There have only been four known ice ages in the planets history and outside of these (which is the vast majority of the time) the planet, even at the poles and highest latitudes has been ice free.

    The planet has ben changing from completely ice covered to completely ice free long before people ever showed up.

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