Flying reptile mystery 'solved'

[DoYouEverWonder]

27 July 2006

UK scientists say they have solved the mystery of why prehistoric flying reptiles grew crests on their heads.

A rare skull specimen found in Brazil shows the crest appeared at puberty, suggesting it was used to attract attention from the opposite sex.

University of Portsmouth experts say pterosaurs, which ruled the air during the time of the dinosaurs, flaunted their headgear in sexual displays.

The findings are published in the journal Palaeontology.

Palaeobiologist Dr Darren Naish said the crest was a signal of sexual maturity; used like a peacock's tail to attract a mate.

"It would have been like a gigantic cockerel's comb, a brightly-coloured striking structure used in display," he told the BBC News website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5221862.stm

[karlrschneider]

1. And they taste like chicken too.

;-)

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Crap, so wearing a dildo on my head all these years WASN'T for naught?

Now, I feel silly! :rofl:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. In matter of the heart...

Knowing how to accesorize is very important. Too many miss that. But not you. ;-)

[sarge43]

7. Well, so much for the idea that

accesorizing is what separates us from the animals. :hi:

[soothsayer]

3. It's not solved. They're guessing at it! Science is so funny that

way. They really think they 'know' something for sure, when it's really just speculation.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. why did it take them so long to speculate?

It didn't. I heard this theory years ago. :shrug:

[Monkeyman]

8. What do you want real time info LOL

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. Yes, damnit!

I thirst for Knowledge.

:bounce:

[brentspeak]

6. Pterodactyl

[BlueInPhilly]

9. What about gay pterosaurs?

What did they grow to attract the same sex?

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. Pink ones?

n/t

[pitohui]

12. another mystery ? if anyone knows the answer ?

i was wondering whatever became of douglas lawson, who discovered Quetzalcoatlus sp. in texas

not a stalker, had only a very casual aquaintance in the 70s, don't want an addy or email, just curious what he went on to achieve later

he was quite shy (maybe just my impression) and i often wondered if he made out okay

[pitohui]

13. eek we got moved!

i guess we didn't seem serious enough for LBN :-(