Dinosaurs - A Short History

Explore a condensed overview of dinosaur history in this one-hour talk. Delve into the origins of these ancient creatures, their classification, and unique characteristics. Learn about cladograms, the Reptilia class, and the surprising connection between mammals and egg-laying. Discover the distinctions of Dinosauromorpha, family trees, and surface temperatures. Examine various dinosaur features, including triangular crowns, occlusion, and cheek structures. Investigate different dinosaur groups like Ornithischians and Saurischians, exploring their feeding habits and locomotion. Uncover fascinating aspects of Theropoda, including their coolness factor, running abilities, and hunting behaviors. Finally, explore the end of the dinosaur era, discussing the Chicxulub crater and its impact on their extinction.

Dinosaurs: Terrible Lizard
Cladograms
Instead what is Reptilia?
Mammals also lay eggs
Humans use a modified amniotic egg
A real distinction
Dinosauromorpha
Family Tree
Surface Temperature
Triangular crowns
Occlusion, not just for mammals
Cute cheeks!
But this leads to problems for mammals
So how about Ornithischians?
Cutting and Pushing
Crushing and Chewing
Saurischia
Classic dinosaur?
Eoraptor sp.
Food and Feeding
Speed, or lack thereof
Theropoda
The Definition of Cool
Running for Life
Smith, S. D., Persons, W. S., & Xing, L. (2016). A tyrannosaur trackway at Glenrock, Lance Formation (Maastrichtian), Wyoming. Cretaceous Research, 61:1-4.
Tearing and Sharing
Bite Marks
Brooding
Shocked Quartz
Chicxulub Crater
So what happened?