Dinosaur Classes Flashcards

Dinosaur Classes

Sauropodomorphs:
- A branch of saurischian dinosaurs known for their long necks.
- Divided into prosauropods and sauropods.
Theropods:
- Another branch of saurischian dinosaurs, primarily bipedal.
- Includes Spinosaurs, alvarezsaurs, dromaeosaurs, and tyrannosaurs.
- Notable for higher trochanter attachment which enhances sprinting ability.
Ornithopods:
- A category within ornithischians characterized by bipedal or facilitative bipedal movement.
- Divides into iguanodonts and hadrosaurs.
Pachycephalosaurs:
- A group of ornithischians distinguished by their thick, domed skulls.
- Exclusively bipeds.
Ceratopsians:
- Ornithischians recognized for large facial horns and frills.
- Features scissor-like dental batteries and are obligate quadrupeds.
Stegosaurs:
- Branch of ornithischians known for bony back plates.
- Committed to quadrupedal locomotion.
Ankylosaurs:
- Ornithischians with heavy osteoderm armor and club-like tails.
- Possess small, leaf-shaped teeth and large ribs for accommodating extensive internal organs; obligate quadrupeds.
Prosauropods:
- The first large herbivores, part of the sauropodomorphs.
- Capable of both obligate and facilitative bipedal movement.
Sauropods:
- Large, long-necked herbivores engaged in predator satiation.
- Size serves as a deterrent to predators, with small leaf-like teeth and large rib and gut capacity; exclusively quadrupedal.
Spinosaurs:
- Theropods recognized for their piscivorous diet.
Alvarezsaurs:
- Insectivorous theropods with specialized adaptations.
Dromaeosaurs:
- Characterized by sickle-shaped foot claws and stiff tails; part of the theropod branch.
Tyrannosaurs:
- Defined by small front limbs and serrated teeth.
- Known for behaviors related to durophagy and aggression; also classified as theropods.
Iguanodonts:
- Ornithopods distinguished by large thumb claws.
- Capable of facilitative bipedalism.
Hadrosaurs:
- Duck-billed ornithopods with vertically tilted dental batteries.
- Capable of facilitative bipedal movement, with lower trochanter attachment facilitating endurance.