The extinction of competition, as initially thought, was not the cause of the spread of dinosaurs
Dinosaurs have dominated the Earth for millions and millions of years, but their evolution seems not to be linked to the disappearance of rival species as previously thought, but to the climatic changes that occurred at that time and which gave rise to a favorable environment for development. of reptiles.
The mass extinction theory of competition has been challenged by a study conducted by Harvard University published in Science Advances . According to this research, the responsibility for the development of the dinosaurs is linked to previous climate changes and that the mass extinction is a consequence of these changes.
The study compared two datasets: changes in the morphology and diversification of reptiles and climate changes between the late Permian and early Triassic . A series of global events, including a 600,000-year-long volcanic eruption, have led to rapid climate change.
Thus after the cold period of the Carboniferous , the planet warmed up in about 20 million years. Many living species, both marine and terrestrial, were affected by this change in temperatures which led to their extinction , while the reptiles began their ascent. They were able to adapt more easily to the new temperatures , giving rise to numerous different shapes and adaptations. Some of these species became extinct, while others began to dominate the Earth.
- It was global warming that “created” the dinosaurs (focus.it)
