Re: Dromeosaurid behavior........Pack hunting! (long)

[Frank Galef <tyra-rex2@nctimes.net>]

Jason Pedersen wrote:

> >From: "John M. Dollan" <dollan@cyberport.net>  wrote:
>
> >
> >Franklin Galef wrote:
> >
> > > >>> "John M. Dollan" <dollan@cyberport.net> 04/28 6:03 PM >>>
> > >
> > > Also, again from the point of view of simple curiosity, is not the mass
> > > fossilization of Coelophysis groups proof of their living in large
> >groups?  Or
> > > was this simply a result of the animal being very numerous and its
> >remains
> > > coming to rest in a chance communal grave over a long period of time
> >(my, wasn't
> > > that a long and bogged down sentence)?
> > >
> > > Not to appear overly uniformitarian, but I wonder if the coelophysis
> >assemblage could have been a winter den.
> >
> >Now that is an intriguing possibility that I hadn't considered.  I suppose
> >that it would depend on climatic conditions seasonally, but it is feasible
> >to think that not just cold weather would promote communal denning.
> >
> >
> Are you refering to the massive grave at Ghost Ranch?
>
> Jason

>
> I assume that we are.  How many other group assemblages of Coelophysis are
> described?  I have seen some overall shots of the fossils, but I don't really
> know anything about the matrix material or what its implications for the
> environment in which they ended up.  With regard to the Deinonychus site I
> was just extending the concept to give yet another possible explanation for
> that crowd scene.

Frank

>

>
> _______________________________________________________________
> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com