Apr 5, 2022 06:23 PM
https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-an...ew-theory/
EXCERPTS: . . . . It’s possible that T-rex hunted in packs like wolves, and several dinosaurs may have gathered around a carcass even if they hadn’t taken it down as a team. Here, Kevin Padian posits, having diddy T-rex arms may have come in handy.
“What if several adult tyrannosaurs converged on a carcass? You have a bunch of massive skulls, with incredibly powerful jaws and teeth, ripping and chomping down flesh and bone right next to you. What if your friend there thinks you’re getting a little too close?” Padian posited. “They might warn you away by severing your arm."
Reptiles like crocodiles and alligators have been observed accidentally amputating their fellow reptiles’ limbs during feeding frenzies, so this kind of accidental cannibalism isn’t without precedent. If a similar threat existed for T-rex, having such tiny arms would have been helpful rather than a hinderance.
“It could be a benefit to reduce the forelimbs, since you’re not using them in predation anyway,” said Padian.
[...] “None of the [existing] hypotheses explain why [T-rex] arms would get smaller — the best they could do is explain why they would maintain the small size,” Padian concluded. “And in every case, all of the proposed functions would have been much more effective if the arms had not been reduced." (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: . . . . It’s possible that T-rex hunted in packs like wolves, and several dinosaurs may have gathered around a carcass even if they hadn’t taken it down as a team. Here, Kevin Padian posits, having diddy T-rex arms may have come in handy.
“What if several adult tyrannosaurs converged on a carcass? You have a bunch of massive skulls, with incredibly powerful jaws and teeth, ripping and chomping down flesh and bone right next to you. What if your friend there thinks you’re getting a little too close?” Padian posited. “They might warn you away by severing your arm."
Reptiles like crocodiles and alligators have been observed accidentally amputating their fellow reptiles’ limbs during feeding frenzies, so this kind of accidental cannibalism isn’t without precedent. If a similar threat existed for T-rex, having such tiny arms would have been helpful rather than a hinderance.
“It could be a benefit to reduce the forelimbs, since you’re not using them in predation anyway,” said Padian.
[...] “None of the [existing] hypotheses explain why [T-rex] arms would get smaller — the best they could do is explain why they would maintain the small size,” Padian concluded. “And in every case, all of the proposed functions would have been much more effective if the arms had not been reduced." (MORE - missing details)