learning objective 6.1
define deterrents
weapons like horns and spikes discourage predators from choosing to attack in the first place
- eg. a shell of a turtle; armour
- eg. ceratopsians, ankylosaurs and stegosaurs
learning objective 6.1
describe cryptic adaptations
define crypsis
- crypsis is the ability of an anima to avoid detection
- adaptations include: camoflauge color patters, hiding behaviours and odor-masking chemicals
learning objective 6.1
Describe finite element anaylsis
- technique that has been used by paleontologist to help evaluate hypotheses about the functions of many dinosaur adaptations
learning objective 6.1
describe the example of a recent finite element analysis
- hypothesis that the tail cubs of ankylosaurs were used as weapons
- if they were: it would be able to wtihstand large impact forces without breaking
- used the tail clud of the ankylosaur Euoplocephalus
- results showed that the resulting stresses across the tail club were insufficient to damage the club
= study concluced that it is capable of serving as a weapon
learning objective 6.1
how is the eye positioning in herbivores comapred to predators
- herbivores often have eyes positioned on the sides of their heads
- maximizing how much of its surrounding it can see at one time
___ - predators often have eyes positioned near each other and both face forward
- grantts stereoscopic vision; allowing an animal to see the same object with both eyes = improving ability to judge depth
learning objective 6.2
what are some of the different hunting styles for predators?
- ambush predators
- stealthy stalking
- pursuit predators
- cooperation; social predators
- solitary hunters
- socially variable
learning objective 6.3
define agonisitc behaviours
define ritualized agonisitc combat
fighting and aggressive displays between members of the same species
- eg. male elk use their antlers in head-to-head shoving competitions
special kind of agonisitic behaviour: competition that determines which of the two individuals is the strongest without either combatant risking serious injury
learning objective 6.4
define monospecific bonebeds
large accumulations of fossil bones that are all from multiple individuals of the same speicies
- know for many kinds of dinosaurs: ceratopsians, hadrosaurs, and tyrannosaurs
