tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post5927283581557463644..comments2024-03-29T00:13:46.845-07:00Comments on Antediluvian Salad: Microraptor Shenanigans Part II: Like a Shadow in the NightDuane Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14467779935085970909noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-6627941707253422512016-09-18T18:13:29.284-07:002016-09-18T18:13:29.284-07:00Somehow I think this new theropod's theme song...Somehow I think this new theropod's theme song is going to be "Night Crawler" by Judas Priest... (based on the hints in other's comments so far).L. Waltersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-27393748966946381732016-09-18T08:20:25.749-07:002016-09-18T08:20:25.749-07:00Great post Duane! Far too often do I see Microrapt...Great post Duane! Far too often do I see Microraptor art with it portrayed as some kind of wimpy "ambient" predator that was too awful to fly so it had to clumsily glide. When in reality it was a succesful generalist hunter with a voracious appetite (like the average endothermic small game hunter).<br /><br />And I completely forgot about how iridescence is suprisingly effective as camouflage! It's a suprisingly common trend in nature so I don't know why your hypothesis hasn't gotten a lot of attention before. A Microraptor at night must have been an exceptionally well versed hunter. Darting in and out of the shadows like the Predator ;).<br /><br />And I can't wait to see your next post. I assume it's about the Nocturnal Super Beast we've discussed before ;)?Iris-Katyayanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06188961246186305190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-12519075704228011862016-09-18T07:27:45.523-07:002016-09-18T07:27:45.523-07:00Funny you mention ginkgoes rotting smell, there is...Funny you mention ginkgoes rotting smell, there is actually a mushroom that also makes a rotting smell to attract flies to eat its fruiting body, from there they spread its spores, bad news for the flies though is that it provides little to no nutritional value so it's mostly for the mushrooms benefit. So there is totally plausibility to your hypothesis.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15444274404962614808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-84089316588005319402016-09-18T00:56:02.456-07:002016-09-18T00:56:02.456-07:00@ L. Walters just gonna have to wait!!
@ BK Jeong...@ L. Walters just gonna have to wait!!<br /><br />@ BK Jeong Yup all good points. There really is a lot more to structural coloration that I just kind of touched upon - especially as you mentioned with fish, a whole lot of weird stuff going on with coral fish too. BTW you guessed correctly that I was going this route of arguing why iridescence does not automatically imply diurnal, I remember seeing your comment on deviantart to that effect somewhere. Nope not Spino, kinda done with him for a while. Can't tell you the next theropod just gonna have to be in suspense!!<br /><br />Duane Nashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14467779935085970909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-41217814818555403922016-09-17T18:20:05.457-07:002016-09-17T18:20:05.457-07:00NVM I think I know that next theropod....aka a REA...NVM I think I know that next theropod....aka a REALLY terrifying theropod.....BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759189747932749283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-29665342479795673512016-09-17T18:09:03.981-07:002016-09-17T18:09:03.981-07:00Finally:
http://orig04.deviantart.net/ebe9/f/2016...Finally:<br /><br />http://orig04.deviantart.net/ebe9/f/2016/240/c/5/sleep_with_one_eye_open_by_dontknowwhattodraw94-dafkhue.jpg<br /><br />IMHO this drawing is the one that demonstrates how terrifying a reflective, black, invisible Microraptor would be to its prey. You REALLY have to squint to see it.<br /><br />PS: Is that next theropod Spinosaurus?BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759189747932749283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-8382205370553881542016-09-17T18:03:39.728-07:002016-09-17T18:03:39.728-07:00Also, iridescence might have another function: hyp...Also, iridescence might have another function: hypnosis.<br /><br />Look at the iridescence of large pelagic predatory fish when hunting. They use it to disappear, but they also sue it to confuse and distract prey.BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759189747932749283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-78167733045894091002016-09-17T18:00:47.786-07:002016-09-17T18:00:47.786-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759189747932749283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-91665081771598758362016-09-17T17:04:08.098-07:002016-09-17T17:04:08.098-07:00Any chance we could get another hint on what this ...Any chance we could get another hint on what this theropod might be? I can't wait. (Both concerned and hyped...)L. Waltersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-1647657013566590982016-09-16T22:37:33.638-07:002016-09-16T22:37:33.638-07:00Thanks I found it, I actually had read that before...Thanks I found it, I actually had read that before just forgot that it was from her blog. Personally I think there was some interesting diffuse coevolution going on between dinosaurs - including some theropods, even carnivorous ones - and the various "fruitifications" of various gymnosperms, conifers, cycads, gingkoes etc etc. Ever wonder why gingko fruits smell like excrement mixed with rotting flesh? It is a bit odd that Microraptor is known from 100's of specimens which might be suggestive of a more omnivorous/generalist "corvid" like ecology. On the other hand the Jehol seems to have been fairly productive ecologically - rich volcanic ash fall perhaps - stimulating productivity, there was lots of small things for it to eat. If Microraptor could exploit water, ground, and arboreal environments and if it had a somewhat mesothermic metabolism I don't necessarily see the high numbers of Microraptor being a problem. And if you have read my old posts I am in favor of the Mesozoic being fairly high in predator abundance - a strong top down ecology due to the dominance of R style reproduction.Duane Nashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14467779935085970909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-22661593549457500452016-09-15T18:23:47.573-07:002016-09-15T18:23:47.573-07:00Just go to emilywilloughby.com to find an illustra...Just go to emilywilloughby.com to find an illustration on Microraptor omnivory, there's a link that provides further details on her blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-28770039131505389392016-09-15T00:57:08.629-07:002016-09-15T00:57:08.629-07:00Good point anon!! Please consider leaving a name s...Good point anon!! Please consider leaving a name so I can better track my conversations with various commentators. Will have to check out Emily's blog what is it called? Or is it just her deviantart postings? Indeed I plan on posting on omnivorous inclinations in supposedly hypercarnivorous theropods in the future...Duane Nashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14467779935085970909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8161161431451849208.post-76614399297945429312016-09-15T00:04:57.670-07:002016-09-15T00:04:57.670-07:00Another fascinating article, well done :). Now I w...Another fascinating article, well done :). Now I would like to provide a little notification on Microraptor being "as yet only known to have eaten flesh". What Emily Willoughby noted in her blog on one of her illustrations is that some generalist predators may have a chance of being semi-omnivorous; there is a possibility of at least one or two specimens to be preserved with plant matter as gut content. There are also some certain features that may suit Microraptor to pick up the occasional seed or fruit, such as "unusual dentition by dromaeosaur standards", such as reduced serrations on the teeth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com