This blog used to be the reactions of a reader of the conservative Catholic journal First Things to the many fine articles to be found therein. Now it's just another minor blog of staircase wit, from just another minor blogger who doesn't realize that blogging is dead. About the only notable thing about me is that I am a Christian conservative who loathes creationism in all its forms. Enjoy your visit.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Case closed: birds and theropods were relatives
Remember that miraculously preserved marrow collagen that was recovered from a tyrannosaurus rex thighbone a while back? Protein analyses of it have re-proved that the beastie was closely related to modern birds, especially chickens and ostriches.
Amazing... Just think: T-rex might be more closely related to the finches outside my window, bickering over the last good seat on the birdfeeder I keep forgetting to refill, than it was to the ceratopsians on which it preyed.
And where did the similarities stop? Could T-rex have been taught to speak, like parrots? Imagine Jurassic Park with the star attraction pursuing the heroes down the jeep path, squawking "I'M A PRETTY BOY!!"
Labels:
genetics,
paleontology,
t-rex,
tyrannosaurus rex
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Hah! Made me laugh. Out loud.
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Hey, just another comment for you to treasure!
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Actually, speech in parrots is a highly derived feature. Although T-Rex was highly intelligent, he lacks the anatomy to care off mimicry of sounds
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