Re: [dinosaur] Mysterious daspletosaurus deaths

[Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>]

On Wed, Feb 15th, 2017 at 9:12 PM, Poekilopleuron <dinosaurtom2015@seznam.cz> 
wrote:

> I would like to ask listmembers if there is any probable explanation for the
> deaths of three _Daspletosaurus torosus_(or _Daspletosaurus sp._?) specimens
> found in the sediments of the Two Medicine formation in Montana? These age-
> varied specimens were found in association with at least five hadrosaurid 
> individuals on which they were feasting prior to their deaths. According to 
> wikipedia "Geologic evidence indicates that the remains were not brought 
> together by river currents but that all of the animals were buried 
> simultaneously at the same location." The cause of death of daspletosaurs is
> therefore unknown. What could possibly kill three large theropods (although 
> only one individual was an adult) in one place? Thank you in advance, Tom

There are lots of possibilities. A land slide, river bank, or sand dune 
collapse could bury them 
suddenly. Volcanic gases could have overwhelmed them. Mud or tar can trap 
animals, and then trap 
any subsequent scavenging predators that are attracted to the initial trapped 
carcasses (which in turn 
can attract even more scavengers in a continuing cycle of mired doom).


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 Dann Pigdon
 GIS Officer
 Melbourne, Australia
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