The mesmerizing world of dinosaurs has captured the imaginations of people across generations. These colossal creatures, which once roamed the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, come in a staggering array of shapes, sizes, and adaptations. In this comprehensive exploration, we will embark on a journey through time, delving into the various types of dinosaurs that have left an indelible mark on our understanding of prehistoric life. I. Saurischia: The Lizard-Hipped Dinosaurs A. Theropods: The Predators of the Mesozoic Theropods, characterized by their lizard-like hips, were a diverse group of carnivorous dinosaurs that ruled the land during the Mesozoic Era. Among the most iconic members of this group was the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex. With its massive size, powerful jaws, and tiny arms, T. rex was a formidable predator, dominating the Late Cretaceous period. Another notable theropod is Velociraptor, famed for its agility and intelligence. Contrary to its portrayal in popular media, Veloci
by Maria Kruk
The history of dinosaurs is, probably, the primary assignment of all paleontological researches, conducted in different places of the world. Scientists are directed towards discovery of new dinosaurs' species with related search of their remains, figuring out why they disappeared and reconstructing natural conditions they lived in. That is why paleontological news usually become a true sensation and not only in scientific circles, but within public society. Apparently, there is no way people will learn the entire story of dinosaurs and their living, but with a help of modern technology advancement a lot of questions have been already resolved as well as new hypothesizes suggested. Hence, certain issues about dinosaurs' research are worth considering.
First and foremost, there is some agreement among scientists concerning the origin of dinosaurs, whose initial ancestors lived nearly 230-300 million years ago: Therapsidas or beast-like reptiles and then Archosaurs and Thecodontia or socket-toothed reptiles, which are considered as initial ancestors of crocodiles and birds. The evolution of their body forms and habits occurred and were influenced by frequent shifts in natural conditions (global warming, floods, flora and woods transformation). Being predators by nature, first progenitors of dinosaurs hunted insects, frogs and small lizards and, eventually, began to use only two limbs in locomotion instead of four present. Particularly, the fastest species of Thecodonts are acknowledged to be the prime "forefathers" of dinosaurs.
Currently there are about 500 well-known species discovered: many of them form certain families, which are united in bigger groups of dinosaurs. It is interesting to know that usually dinosaurs' species are called after the place, where their remains were found. For instance, Lesothosaurus is discovered in Lesotho (Africa), Albertosaurus - in Canada's Alberta province, Mamenchisaurus hochianensis - in China's localities. Sometimes dinosaurs' names are used to glorify famous discoverers. Nowadays there are hundreds of paleontological spots on the world map, which are marked with intensive excavation activity, such as: the United States and Canada, Western Europe, South America (Brasilia and Argentina predominantly), North and South Africa, Southeastern Asia (China, India, Mongolia) and Australia.
Among recent developments there are references about finding dinosaurs' remains in Antarctica, which might belong to Argentinosaurus, the species of Titanosaur Sauropod, discovered in Argentina. There are some assumptions that Antarctic ice mass might hide more skeletons of these prehistoric species, which might become an object of scientific research in future. Moreover, there were tree relics found earlier, which is the evidence of favorable natural conditions for wildlife development in the area in prehistoric times.
Dinosaurs were Earth inhabitants during a long period of time, which embraced Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of Mesozoic era. Therefore, there are a lot questions determined to be constant objects of discussion: what species were the most predatory, were dinosaurs cold-blooded or warm-blooded, what were their primary enemies, and the most peculiar and challenging is why have they disbanded? It has been already defined that they failed nearly 65 million years ago, but ideas concerning reasons of their extinction vary from time to time. The mystery of dinosaurs' disappearance is usually associated with several causes: Earth clash with some meteorite, which explains immediate death of all dinosaurs (in contradiction, birds stayed alive); crustal movement with proper climate change; extermination of small representatives by bigger ones with their further death because of hunger, etc. So, dinosaurs have been researched since 1820 and there is more and more food for meditation and less firm convictions, except of their huge impact on evolution of animals, birds and, no doubts, reptiles.