Questions and Answers
When was the oldest fossil found?
228 Ma; late triassic
Where did the earliest dinosaurs originate from?
South America
When was the last appearance of dinosaurs?
65 Ma
What were the first dinosaurs like?
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What are the two main types of dinosaurs?
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What comprises Saurischian dinosaurs?
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What comprises Ornithischian dinosaurs?
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What are Saurischian hips also known as?
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What are Ornithischian hips also known as?
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What is the overview of Sauropomorpha?
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What is the overview of Theropoda?
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What is the overview of Ornithopoda?
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What is the overview of Thyreophora?
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What is the overview of Marginocephalia?
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What are Herrerasauridae?
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What is Fabrosaurus known for?
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Study Notes
Classification of Dinosaurs
- The oldest dinosaur fossil dates back to 228 million years ago during the Late Triassic period.
- The earliest dinosaurs originated in South America.
Extinction Timeline
- Dinosaurs last appeared approximately 65 million years ago.
Early Dinosaurs
- The first dinosaurs were small, bipedal carnivores classified as theropods.
Main Types of Dinosaurs
- Dinosaurs are categorized into two primary groups: Saurischians and Ornithischians.
Saurischian Dinosaurs
- Saurischians include two main clades: Sauropomorpha and Theropoda.
- Characterized by lizard-like hips.
Ornithischian Dinosaurs
- Ornithischians consist of several clades: Ornithopoda, Thyreophora, and Marginocephalia.
- Distinguished by bird-like hips.
Saurpomorpha Characteristics
- Notable for long necks and tails; they were the largest land animals.
- Quadrupedal due to their massive size, with relatively small skulls, they reproduced by laying eggs.
Theropoda Characteristics
- This group contains only carnivorous dinosaurs and features bipedal locomotion.
- Possessed bird-like feet, walking primarily on digits 2, 3, and 4.
Ornithopoda Features
- Generally bipedal, fast, and agile; they had distinctive crests on their heads.
- Known as duck-billed dinosaurs, also walking on digits 2, 3, and 4.
Thyreophora Characteristics
- Developed specialized features like cheeks and recessed tooth rows.
- They had armored eyelids and dermal bone armor for protection.
Marginocephalia Overview
- Characterized by the presence of horns or bony plates on the back of their skulls.
- Featured a distinct posterior bone shelf at the back of their heads, contributing to heavy skull structure.
Herrerasauridae Family
- Recognized as one of the oldest known dinosaur groups, closely related to theropods.
- They were small to medium-sized carnivores, with lizard hips, and were swift runners.
Fabrosaurus
- Considered a transitional dinosaur type from reptiles to true dinosaurs.
- An early Jurassic herbivore, it was the first of the Ornithischian dinosaurs, comparable in size to a modern cat, with a predentary bone in the skull.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the classification and characteristics of dinosaurs. This quiz covers the timeline of their existence, major types, and the distinctions between Saurischians and Ornithischians. Learn about the evolution and traits of these fascinating prehistoric creatures.
