Re: Amargasaurus...

["Steve Brusatte" <dinoland@lycos.com>]

On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 22:57:04  
 Rob Gay wrote:
>>Do you really think that Amargasaurus would need spikes like these to 
>>defend itself from predators?  Based on my readings and studies and 
>>discussions, I believe that the large size of Amargasaurus would be a more 
>>than adequate defense.  Of course, it was up against some large predators.<
>>From the partial skeleton I saw at the LACM, _Amargasaurus_ didn't seem too 
>big, as far as sauropods go. Especially against animals like 
>_Giganotasaurus_. But, I still don't think the spines were defensive. They 
>would seem to be too gracile to inflict much damage on an attacking 
>predator.

Oh, you're absolutely right.  Amargasaurus was something like 11-12 meters 
long-very small as far as sauropods go...especially considering that predators 
such as Giganotosaurus and the new Argentine guy (when is it going to be named) 
likely targeted it.  

However, I still believe that 12 meters long is big!  And, I do agree that the 
spines do seem gracile.  There is a really good photo on the Dinosauricon at 
http://dinosauricon.com/images/amargasaurus-bs.html  Even if these spikes were 
more robust and could inflict damage, the predator could simply bite the side 
or underside of the neck and get right past them.  If Amargasaurus was to truly 
evolve a protective mechanism for its neck, I would think that a nice, thick 
set of armor would be much better and much more protective.  These spines seem 
very ostentatious...and rarely are "showy" objects used for defense purposes 
(at least exclusively).

Steve

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