Lecture 2 - reading notes "shape of Mesozoic dinosaur richness"

Question 1

define species richness

Answer 1

the number of different species represented in an ecological community, landscape or region - simply a count of species

Question 2

what is the Campanian - Maastrichtian

Answer 2

the transition to the last/sixth stage (Maastrichtian) of the late Cretaceous epoch, from the fifth stage (Campanian)

Question 3

define coprolite

Answer 3

fossilised dung

Question 4

define ichnotaxa

Answer 4

names used to identify and distinguish morphologically distinctive trace fossils

Question 5

define ootaxa

Answer 5

(plural) any taxonomic classifications of egg fossils

Question 6

the late Cretaceous contains what percentage of all dinosaur genera?

Answer 6

44%

Question 7

what are the 6 substages of the late Cretaceous?

Answer 7

1 - Cenomanian
2 - Turonian
3 - Coniacian
4 - Santonian
5 - Campanian
6 - Maastrichtian

Question 8

the Campanian shows what percentage increase in species richness from the Cenomanian through Santonian levels?

Answer 8

> 90%

Question 9

the Mesozoic:

Answer 9

• one of three eras in the Phanerozoic Eon
• preceded by the Palaeozoic era and succeeded by the Cenozoic
• divided into three main periods: 1. Triassic 2. Jurassic 3. Cretaceous

Question 10

Sauropodomorpha

Answer 10

Clade of long-necked herbivorous dinosaours

Question 11

Ornithischia

Answer 11

Clade of herbivorous dinosaurs with pelvic structures similar to birds