WEB DESK: Scientists’ understanding of dinosaurs has undergone a significant shift in recent years. Once considered sluggish and cold-blooded, new research has revealed that some dinosaurs may have had the ability to regulate their body temperature. However, the timing and mechanism of this transition have long puzzled researchers.
A groundbreaking study, published in the journal Current Biology, now estimates that the first warm-blooded dinosaurs emerged around 180 million years ago, marking a pivotal moment in their evolution. This revelation comes about halfway through the dinosaurs’ reign on Earth.
Unlike cold-blooded animals, warm-blooded creatures, such as birds (which are modern-day descendants of dinosaurs) and humans, maintain a constant body temperature regardless of external conditions. This newfound understanding could shed light on various aspects of dinosaur behavior, including their level of activity and social interactions.
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To unravel the mystery of when warm-bloodedness arose in dinosaurs, researchers meticulously analyzed over 1,000 fossils, climate data, and the evolutionary relationships between different dinosaur species. They discovered that two major groups of dinosaurs, including iconic species like Tyrannosaurus rex and velociraptors, migrated to colder regions during the Early Jurassic period. This suggests that they may have developed the ability to regulate their body temperature to cope with the cooler climates. Meanwhile, another group of dinosaurs, such as brontosaurs, remained in warmer areas.
Alfio Allesandro Chiarenza, a study author and postdoctoral fellow at University College London, stressed the significance of the findings, noting that the ability to thrive in colder regions implies a mechanism for generating internal heat.
However, not all experts agree on the timeline of warm-blooded dinosaur evolution. Jasmina Wiemann, a postdoctoral fellow at the Field Museum in Chicago, suggests that warm-bloodedness may have emerged much earlier in dinosaurs’ history, around 250 million years ago. Wiemann’s research, while not directly involved in the current study, underscores the complexity of understanding dinosaur physiology.
Ultimately, compiling evidence from various aspects of dinosaurs’ lives, including their diets and body temperatures, will be crucial in painting a comprehensive picture of their evolutionary journey toward warm-bloodedness.
