Geology Scientific Paper Analysis
1. While finding theropod tooth marks on a dinosaur bone is an undeniable evidence of predatory behavior, it does not mean that it killed the animal. Moreover, finding footprints of theropod chasing its prey or remnants of another specimen at the same quarry, would not be a sufficient proof of active hunting (Carpenter 135). Thus, tooth marks without other evidence could mean that theropod only scavenged carcass instead.
2. The Mongolian ‘fighting pair’ was found in 1971 in the middle Campanian Djadokhta formation in Southern Mongolia (Carpenter 136). While Soviet geologists Tverdokhlebov and Tsybin identified the sediments as freshwater deltaic, Barsbold recognized it as paludal. At the same time, thorough analysis conducted by Polish and Canadian scientists left no doubts that Djadokhta formation is of eolian nature.
3. The bodies of the fighting pair are almost parallel to each other, with Velociraptor to the right of the crouched Protoceratops. Right forearm of the Velociraptor grabs the beak of the Protoceratops, while the left hand is in front of preys’ jugal horn (Carpenter 136). Velociraptor’s right leg is caught under Protoceratops’s body. At the same time, the claws of the left leg are in the throat of Protoceratops.
4. Geologists put forward a number of theories of the ‘fighting pair’ death circumstances. According to Barsbold, the dinosaurs fell into water, most likely swamp, and died underwater. Osmolska assumed they were buried under a bank of sand. Unwin, Perle, and Trueman suggested that the animals were trapped in a sandstorm. Yet, Carpenter prefers the theory, according to which the Velociraptor was trapped under the body of already dead Protoceratops (Carpenter 136). This theory is supported by the position of two bodies. It also explains Protoceratops’ missing forelimbs, that were scavenged later.
5. Although the scenario preferred by Carpenter matches the position of the bodies as well as the environment, it does not explain why the Velociraptor was not scavenged (Carpenter 138). He suggests that due to the eolian nature of the environment, it was buried under thick layer of sand before the bodies were found by other predators.
6. Ostrom believed that dromaeosaurids used their toe claws for disemboweling of prey. However, Carpenter thinks that their function was to pierce into vulnerable places, such as trachea, arteries, or veins (Carpenter 138). He analyzes the sharpness of Velociraptor claw and comes to the conclusion that it is not sharp enough to cut through thick hide or muscles. The structure of Velociraptor muscles also supports this idea.
7. Explaining which parts of the Edmontosaurus skeleton were found, and which were missing sheds light on the circumstances of its death. The extensive damage to the tail supports the assumption that it was attacked by a theropod (Carpenter 140). Moreover, it gives some information about the attacker.
8. As a result of the attack, the middle part of hadrosaur’s tail suffered serious injury. Five of the adjacent tail bones that stick up are severely damaged. The middle ones are almost missing, …
