The asteroid is not the only factor causing the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Researchers also found that the length of time the hatching eggs are also influence at the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Recent research revealed that the dinosaur eggs take at least 6 months to hatch, much longer than previously thought that only 11-85 days. And according to a researcher from Florida State University named Gregory Erickson who studied two species of dinosaur, Protoceratops (dinosaur at the size of a sheep), as well as Hypacrosaurus (a big duck dinosaur).
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| (Pictured: Protoceratops andrewsi). Study reveals dinosaurs spent way longer in the egg than previously thought. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1i9Tf8) |
After scanning the jaws with CT Scan, the team extracted some teeth and analyze them with a high-resolution microscope. By using this technique allowing the researchers to identify the von Ebner lines, the growth lines owned by all animals.
"This is the development line of animals dental. Such a circle of trees. We can use this line to see the level of development of the dinosaur," Erickson said, as quoted of the Science Alert on January 3, 2017.
When analyzing, Erickson and his colleagues found that embryos of Protoceratops was 3 months old while Hypacrosaurus nearly 6 months.
"This means that dinosaurs had a slow progression. Three to six months allows the eggs are exposed to many risks, predators, drought and floods. Parent was potentially exposed to many risks," said Erickson.
The risk factors are more greater in extreme conditions, such as when the asteroid impact occurred. Under extreme conditions, the length of time hatching will increasingly hamper reproduction, thereby reducing survival.
In other words, the length of time hatching and catastrophic asteroid impact events is a combination that creates the extinction of the dinosaurs. This research was a preliminary study. And further research is needed to reveal whether other non avian dinosaurs are also experiencing a slow incubation period. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCE ALERT]
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