Re: Armadillos at the K/T! (long)

[John Bois <jbois@umd5.umd.edu>]

On Fri, 5 Oct 2001, paul sparks wrote:

> I'm at a loss why this subject is going on so long. There does not appear
> (to me anyhow) any real difference between the eggs and small children of
> dinos and current egg layers today. The various approches that are used
> today would cover what may have happened with the dinos. This includes birds
>  turtles, non-vertabrates, etc. There is no case where egg predataion wins
> out or even comes close so what's the big hassle?

Goose species have suffered near extinction when fox predators were
allowed on nesting islands.  Most species' extinction is not a matter
of record.  To assume that what we see going on in this snapshot of
ecological time represents evolutionary processes is futile: to demand
that it does is worse.  But, again, I have had a very fair hearing and
have been treated very well.  So, feeling the snapping of tigers at my
heels I think this is a good time to bow out of this thread.  It will
take some time to gather data and ref. requests, so I will come back on in
about a week with one more post on that stuff.  I thank the list for its
patience and openess.