Talk:Dakosaurus andiniensis

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From the abstract on ScienceExpress (Science online):

An Unusual Marine Crocodyliform from the Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary of Patagonia

Zulma Gasparini 1*, Diego Pol 2, Luis A. Spalletti 3

1 CONICET, Departamento de Paleontología de Vertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.

2 Mathematical Biosciences Institute, The Ohio State University, 231 W 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

3 CONICET, Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 1, 644, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Zulma Gasparini , E-mail: zgaspari.NOSPAM@NOSPAM.museo.fcnym.unlp.edu.ar

--Dante Alighieri | Talk 17:29, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] A 6 meter giant?

How on earth could a six meter animal be a top predator in the late Jurassic with Pliosaurs roaming around which were at least a couple times as large? I think that there is some indication that this is in fact a juvenile specimen with the adults projected to grow much larger, which would explain why the news reports called this a "giant". I have yet to see the new copy of Science, can anyone confirm or deny that this was in fact a juvenile? Cameron 21:24, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

I think skull studies indicate it hunted large animals, as opposed to pliesiasaurs which hunted fish. 141.213.170.219 07:01, 13 November 2005 (UTC) Jason

Pliosaurs were in contrast to plesiosaurs big-game hunters which feed on other large marine reptiles and grew really much larger than this crocodile. It was very probably a predator which feed on large prey, but surely not the top predator.

[edit] Comparisons

Two amusing comparisons of note by contemporary paleontologists in an attempt to better describe the beast was as 'a distance cousin of the creatures in the Alien's film series' and also as a 'tentically challenged cthulhu'. Might be of worth mentioning that in the article for farts and giggles, I'll leave it up to our more learned brethren here. Jachin 16:59, 12 November 2005 (UTC)