Why we keep finding dinosaurs - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts:

• Dinosaurs: Extinct group of reptiles that dominated Earth for approximately 160 million years.
• Paleontology: The study of prehistoric life, including dinosaurs, through fossil analysis.
• Fossils: Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.
• Extinction: The termination of a species or larger group of organisms.
• Theropods: A suborder of dinosaurs that includes the ancestors of modern birds.
• Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
• Dinosauria: The formal name given to the group of dinosaurs by Richard Owen.
• Bone Wars: A period of intense fossil hunting rivalry in the late 19th century between paleontologists Marsh and Cope.
• Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae: A newly discovered small dinosaur species.
• Morrison Formation: A Late Jurassic geological formation in the western US known for its dinosaur fossils.
• Hell Creek Formation: A Late Cretaceous geological formation in North America known for its dinosaur fossils.
• Biomechanics: The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms.

1. Dinosaur Fascination and Discovery

• Dinosaurs are fascinating due to their enormous size (some the size of passenger jets) and long reign on Earth (160 million years compared to humans' 300,000 years).
• Paleontology connects the past, present, and future, helping us understand Earth's history and potential future events.
• Aswatha Biju, a young paleontologist from India and founder of the Fossil Forever Club, emphasizes paleontology's unique ability to connect past, present, and future.
• New dinosaur species are being discovered at an average rate of one per week.

2. Birds as Descendants of Dinosaurs

• Birds are direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs.
• Observing birds provides insight into the ecology and evolution of dinosaurs.
• Fossil evidence from China shows feathered dinosaurs, demonstrating the transition to modern birds.
• The scaly legs and claws of chickens resemble those of dinosaurs.

3. History of Dinosaur Discovery

• The first dinosaur, Megalosaurus, was discovered and named in England in 1824.
• Richard Owen coined the term "Dinosauria" in the 1840s to classify the growing number of dinosaur fossils.
• The "Bone Wars" in the late 19th century involved intense competition between paleontologists Marsh and Cope in the American West.
• Modern dinosaur discoveries are occurring worldwide, particularly in China, Argentina, Brazil, Mongolia, and South Africa.
• Professor Steve Brusatte from Edinburgh University, a paleontologist and consultant for the Jurassic Park films, highlights the ongoing discoveries, including those in Scotland.

4. Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae: A Recent Discovery

• Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae is a newly discovered small dinosaur species, about the size of a Labrador, on display at the Natural History Museum in London.
• The name "Enigmacursor" refers to the dinosaur's role in filling a mysterious part of the ecosystem.
• The dinosaur is named after Molly Borthwick, who made a generous donation to the Natural History Museum, enabling them to acquire the fossil.
• The fossil was found in the Morrison Formation in the western US.

5. Fossil Formation and Locations

• Fossils are formed when sediments trap bones, which are then preserved by events like volcanic eruptions.
• Famous fossil formations include the Morrison Formation (western US) and the Hell Creek Formation (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota).
• Rich fossil beds are also found in the Mongolian Gobi Desert and China.

6. Reasons for Ongoing Dinosaur Discoveries

• Every bone fragment adds to the understanding of dinosaurs.
• Bones are being collected faster than in-depth scientific studies can be conducted.
• Museum collections contain fossils that may be revisited and re-evaluated.
• Each fossil requires careful preparation and scanning.

7. Tyrannosaurus Rex (T.rex) and its Behavior

• T.rex was a brutal hunter with a powerful bite force, as evidenced by teeth marks on other dinosaur fossils.
• Biomechanics studies of its jaw confirm its hunting capabilities.
• Social behavior and vocalizations of T.rex are unknown, as this information does not fossilize.

8. Value of Studying Dinosaurs

• Studying dinosaurs provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth and its dependence on the environment.
• Understanding past extinctions, like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, can inform our understanding of current environmental challenges, including climate change.
• The asteroid impact that caused the dinosaur extinction was a dramatic event, and current efforts are focused on detecting potential collision threats from space.
• The reign of the dinosaurs highlights the relatively short existence of humans and the potential for dramatic changes to wipe out dominant species.

9. Notable Quotes

• Aswatha Biju: "Paleontology is the only field that can help you understand the past of Earth and the prehistoric organisms, the present condition in which you find them fossilised, and the present phenomena that happen in Earth and the future."
• Steve Brusatte: "There's a new dinosaur being found once every week on average."

10. Conclusion

The study of dinosaurs continues to be a vibrant and evolving field, with new discoveries constantly reshaping our understanding of prehistoric life. From the evolution of birds to the behavior of T.rex and the causes of extinction events, dinosaur research offers valuable insights into the history of life on Earth and the challenges facing our planet today. The ongoing discoveries and the dedication of paleontologists worldwide ensure that the story of the dinosaurs will continue to fascinate and inform for generations to come.