Re: Warm-blooded debate

[Joshua Dyal <j-dyal@geocities.com>]

Dinogeorge@aol.com wrote:
> 
> AS I WAS SAYING BEFORE I WAS RUDELY INTERRUPTED BY ACCIDENTALLY HITTING THE
> WRONG KEY AND SENDING OFF AN INCOMPLETE MESSAGE...
> 
> In a message dated 97-06-20 21:28:24 EDT, j-dyal@geocities.com (Joshua Dyal)
> writes:
> 
> << It also fits the growth profiles of most large mammals too, though,
>  doesn't it?  Relatively quick growing juveniles, then growth slows way
>  down or stops altogether as adult size is reached. >>
> 
> So what? Mammals are different from dinosaurs, and that's the end of that
> issue. Like I said before, THERE IS NO WAY WHATSOEVER TO DECIDE WHETHER
> DINOSAURS WERE ENDOTHERMIC OR ECTOTHERMIC without going back in time and
> observing living dinosaurs. Period. Why bother speculating, when this will
> ALWAYS lead nowhere? Sorry I got drawn into this useless discussion.

I definately agree, but you presented the argument that dinosaur growth
rates slow down as evidence of ectothermy.  Rather than try and decide
the issue, I was merely pointing out the fact that since large mammals
grow in a similar fashion, I don't see how it can be evidence of
anything.  Therefore, I was supporting your above mentioned conclusion
100% that it is impossible to decide conclusively that dinosaurs were
either ecto- or endothermic.

Joshua Dyal
j-dyal@geocities.com