are dinosaurs reptiles

Introduction

The classification of dinosaurs has been a subject of extensive research and debate. While traditionally considered reptiles, recent studies have provided new insights into their evolutionary relationships and physiological characteristics.

Key Insights

Dinosaurs as Reptiles:
- Dinosaurs are deeply nested among the archosaurian reptiles, sharing a common ancestry with crocodiles and other reptiles .
- The term "Dinosauria" was originally proposed to classify certain large fossil reptiles, indicating their initial classification as reptiles.
Evolutionary Relationships:
- Dinosaurs originated from a small group of reptiles in the Late Triassic and evolved into dominant terrestrial vertebrates by the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
- The initial radiation of dinosaurs was not due to competitive superiority but rather opportunistic ecological replacement following the extinction of other reptile groups.
Physiological Characteristics:
- Evidence from bone histology and other physiological studies suggests that dinosaurs had high aerobic exercise metabolism, similar to birds and mammals, which is atypical for modern reptiles.
- Some researchers argue that these physiological traits justify classifying dinosaurs separately from traditional reptiles, potentially placing them in a new class alongside birds.

Conclusion

Dinosaurs are traditionally classified as reptiles, specifically within the archosaurian lineage. However, their unique physiological traits and evolutionary history suggest that they may have been more similar to birds and mammals in certain aspects. This has led to ongoing debates about their precise classification, with some proposing a distinct class for dinosaurs.

Are dinosaurs reptiles

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Description of new dinosaurian reptiles

New dinosaurian reptiles discovered in the Laramie formation show high specialization and unique anatomical features not previously observed in this group.

The origin and early radiation of dinosaurs

Dinosaurs' ascent from a marginal group of reptiles in the Late Triassic to the preeminent terrestrial vertebrates of the Jurassic and Cretaceous was a two-stage process, with their expansion in diversity and abundance only after the extinction of other reptile groups.

Remarks on the Reptiles Generally Called Dinosauria

Dinosauria is a group of fossil reptiles containing Megalosaurus, Hylaeosaurus, and Iguanodon, with a definite morphology and a long neck.

Dinosaur Success in the Triassic: A Noncompetitive Ecological Model

Dinosaurs became dominant in the Triassic period after the disappearance of several mammal-like reptile groups, mainly due to opportunistic ecological replacement rather than massive competitive take-overs.

Dinosaur Monophyly and a New Class of Vertebrates

Dinosaurs are a single monophyletic group with high aerobic exercise metabolism, justifying a new class, Dinosauria, alongside birds and cursorial mammals.

2. History of reptiles

The history of reptiles begins with Hylonomus and Petrolacosaurus in the Carboniferous period, and continues with the expansion and diversification of archosaurs, which included dinosaurs, and the adaptations for sea life in the Mesozoic Era.

The Fossil Record of Predation in Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs were not solely predators, with carnivorous birds being prominent predators throughout the Cenozoic Era.

Notice of new dinosaurian reptiles

New dinosaurs from the Atlantosaurus beds of the Rocky Mountains show interesting features like pneumatic cavities in vertebrae and short sacrums.

II.—The Principal Characters of American Jurassic Dinosaurs belonging to the Order Theropoda

Theropoda, or carnivorous dinosaurs, are a well-marked order in the classification of this group, with their skulls and skeletons still being determined.

Dinosaurs: Comparative Cytogenomics of Their Reptile Cousins and Avian Descendants

Dinosaurs likely had similar chromosome patterns to birds, contributing to their diverse appearance and function, and their ability to survive multiple extinction events.

Try another search