The Dwarf and the Raven is a representation of Jurassic Germany. Three europasaurs approach a tree, alarming two resting Archaeopteryx. Europasaurus represents a case of insular dwarfism. It descended from much larger sauropods that were stranded on a small ancient island with insufficient resources to support a population of huge herbivores. The evolution of this dwarf sauropod, "just" three meters tall, must have been quite rapid. The feathered Archaeopteryx was also small, about the size of a bantam chicken. It was discovered more than 150 years ago--around the time On the Origin of Species was published--and it became an evolution icon and the first evidence of the origins of modern birds.
keywords: speed of evolution, island dwarfism, reconstructions, sauropods, birds
Original Caption: "The Dwarf and the Raven" is a rappresentation of two German dinosaurs.
Europasaurs approaching to a tree where two theropod dinosaurs were resting. The theropods respond alarmed at the sight of the grey herbivores.
Europasaurus represent a case of insular dwarfism. This animal was "just" three meters tall, when his relatives was very much larger!
Therefore, we can deduce that the feathered Archaeopteryx was a very small dinosaur, with the sizes of a chicken. This dinosaur was discovered more than 150 years ago, and it became an evolution icon and the first evidence of the origins of the modern birds.
|
