Mesozoic life Dinosaurs Flashcards
what are the characteristics of dinosaurs
- teeth in individual sockets
- reduced lower leg bone
- pelvis anchored to vertebral column
- ball and socket hip joint
- upright posture
What are the two distinct orders of dinosaurs
- Saurischia
- Ornithischia
What is the main difference between the two distinct orders of dinosaurs
the shape of their hip structure
What are all the dinosaurs that come from the Ornithischia
- Ornithopod
- Pachycephalosaur
- Ceratopsia
- Stegosaur
- Ankylosaur
What are the distinct characteristics of Ornithopod’s
- bipedal herbivores
- had crests on the heads
- developed forelimbs
- cared for young in nests
- teeth were constantly replaced
What are the distinct characteristics of Pachycephalosaurs
- bipedal herbivored
- domed skull
- only in northern hemisphere
What was the speculated reason for the domed heads for pachycephalosaurs
for dominance or for mating
also could be just to show off
What are distinct characteristics of Stegosauria
- quadrupedal herbivores
- plates on back
- ## spikes on end of tail for defense
What are distinct characteristics of Ceratopsians
-large head with bony frill at top of neck
-quadrupedal herbivores
- 1 or more horns on nose and brows
What are the distinct characteristics of Ankylosaurs
- bony armor on head, back and flanks
- some had club on end of tail
What are all the dinosaurs that come from the Saurischian
-Sauropod
-Theropod
What are distinct characteristics of sauropods
- quadrupedal herbivores
- giant sized
- moved in herds
What are distinct characteristics of Theropods
- bipedal carnivores
- had many feathers
- range in size
What are the two main thermoregulation modes in vertebrates
- Ectothermy
- endothermy
Define ectothermy
cold blooded
ex: reptiles and amphibians
