Dinosaur physiology. Evidence for mesothermy in dinosaurs.
Science
; 344(6189): 1268-72, 2014 Jun 13.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24926017
ABSTRACT
Were dinosaurs ectotherms or fast-metabolizing endotherms whose activities were unconstrained by temperature? To date, some of the strongest evidence for endothermy comes from the rapid growth rates derived from the analysis of fossil bones. However, these studies are constrained by a lack of comparative data and an appropriate energetic framework. Here we compile data on ontogenetic growth for extant and fossil vertebrates, including all major dinosaur clades. Using a metabolic scaling approach, we find that growth and metabolic rates follow theoretical predictions across clades, although some groups deviate. Moreover, when the effects of size and temperature are considered, dinosaur metabolic rates were intermediate to those of endotherms and ectotherms and closest to those of extant mesotherms. Our results suggest that the modern dichotomy of endothermic versus ectothermic is overly simplistic.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Temperatura Corporal
/
Dinossauros
/
Metabolismo Energético
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Science
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos