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Crushers to slashers: Dinosaur bite styles reveal evolution's many paths
Crushers to slashers: Dinosaur bite styles reveal evolution's many paths

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Science
  • Yahoo

Crushers to slashers: Dinosaur bite styles reveal evolution's many paths

A new study finds that meat-eating dinosaurs followed remarkable evolutionary paths regarding their skull design and feeding style. In a new study published in Cell, researchers from the University of Bristol investigated the largest carnivore dinosaurs, the Theroposa family. The T. rex is the most iconic member of that group, and it is also famous for producing the largest bipedal carnivore in Earth's history. 'Carnivorous dinosaurs took very different paths as they evolved into giants in feeding biomechanics and possible behaviors,' said Andrew Rowe of the University of Bristol, UK. The new study explores how the skulls of these bipedal meat-eating giants evolved and offers intriguing insights into a way of life that exists no longer. These dinosaurs are big, but what does that mean about their skulls? A new study out of the University of Bristol analyzed the bite strength of 18 species of carnivorous dinosaurs. Study authors Andrew Rowe and Emily Rayfield wanted to know how bipedalism influenced skull biomechanics and feeding techniques. Experts already knew that although this group of dinosaurs reached similar sizes, predators evolved at different times and in disparate parts of the world. And their skulls reflected that. Study authors wanted to dive in and assess how these skulls compared. What is the relationship between their body size and skull biomechanics? A snapshot of how carnivores developed Rowe and Rayfield used 3D technologies, including CT and surface scans, to analyze skull mechanics, quantify feeding performance, and measure bite strength across 18 species of theropod, according to a press release. The Tyrannosaurus rex skull was optimized for quick, strong bites like a crocodile. However, its evolutionary path was different from that of other giant predatory species, such as spinosaurs and allosaurs, which walked on two legs. It had weaker bites and instead specialized in slashing and ripping flesh. 'Tyrannosaurs evolved skulls built for strength and crushing bites, while other lineages had comparatively weaker but more specialized skulls, suggesting diverse feeding strategies even at massive sizes. In other words, there wasn't one 'best' skull design for being a predatory giant; several designs functioned perfectly well,' says Andrew Rowe from the University of Bristol. But the Tyrannosaurids, like the T. rex, experienced higher skull stress. 'But in some other giants, like Giganotosaurus, we calculated stress patterns suggesting a relatively lighter bite. It drove home how evolution can produce multiple 'solutions' to life as a large, carnivorous biped.' Does size matter? But size didn't necessarily matter in this case. Some smaller therapods experienced more stress than some of the larger species due to increased muscle volume and bite forces. 'The findings show that being a predatory biped didn't always equate to being a bone-crushing giant. Unlike T. rex, some dinosaurs, including the spinosaurs and allosaurs, became giants while maintaining weaker bites more suited for slashing at prey and stripping flesh,' concludes a press release. 'I tend to compare Allosaurus to a modern Komodo dragon in terms of feeding style,' says Rowe. 'Large tyrannosaur skulls were instead optimized like modern crocodiles with high bite forces that crushed prey. This biomechanical diversity suggests that dinosaur ecosystems supported a wider range of giant carnivore ecologies than we often assume, with less competition and more specialization.' Solve the daily Crossword

Not all fierce-looking dinosaurs like T rex packed strong bites, study reveals
Not all fierce-looking dinosaurs like T rex packed strong bites, study reveals

The Independent

time5 days ago

  • Science
  • The Independent

Not all fierce-looking dinosaurs like T rex packed strong bites, study reveals

A comprehensive new analysis of the bite forces of 18 species of dinosaurs has revealed that, despite their size, several of the giant prehistoric predators packed much weaker bites than previously thought. Researchers, including from the University of Bristol, found that while dinosaurs like the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex were optimised for quick, strong bites, much like a crocodile, many others that walked on two legs, such as the spinosaurus and allosaurs, had much weaker bite forces and instead specialised in slashing and ripping flesh. The research, published in the journal Current Biology, revealed that meat-eating dinosaurs followed different evolutionary paths in terms of skull design and feeding style despite their similarly gigantic sizes. 'Tyrannosaurs evolved skulls built for strength and crushing bites while other lineages had comparatively weaker but more specialized skulls, suggesting a diversity of feeding strategies even at massive sizes,' Andrew Rowe, one author of the study from the University of Bristol, said. 'In other words, there wasn't one 'best' skull design for being a predatory giant; several designs functioned perfectly well.' In the study, scientists probed how walking on two legs influenced skull mechanics and feeding techniques in dinosaurs. Previous research showed that despite reaching similar sizes, predatory dinosaurs evolved in very different parts of the world at various times and conditions and had different skull shapes. This raised doubts on whether the skulls of these dinosaurs were functionally similar under the surface or if there were notable differences in their predatory lifestyles. 'Carnivorous dinosaurs took very different paths as they evolved into giants in terms of feeding biomechanics and possible behaviors,' Dr Rowe said. To understand the relationship between body size and skull biomechanics, researchers used 3D X-ray scanning technology to analyse the skull mechanics and quantify the feeding performance and the bite strength across 18 species of two-legged carnivorous dinosaurs ranging from small ones to giants. Researchers were surprised to find clear divergence among the species. For instance, skull stress didn't show a pattern of increase with size. Some smaller dinosaurs even experienced greater stress than the larger species due to increased muscle volume and bite force. 'Tyrannosaurids like T rex had skulls that were optimised for high bite forces at the cost of higher skull stress,' Dr Rowe noted. 'But in some other giants like Giganotosaurus, we calculated stress patterns suggesting a relatively lighter bite. It drove home how evolution can produce multiple 'solutions' to life as a large, carnivorous biped.' Overall, being a predatory two-legged dinosaur did not always equate to being a bone-crushing giant like T rex. Unlike T rex, some dinosaurs like spinosaurus and allosaurs became giants while maintaining weaker bites more suited to slashing at prey and stripping flesh. 'Large tyrannosaur skulls were instead optimised like modern crocodiles with high bite forces that crushed prey,' Dr Rowe explained. 'I tend to compare Allosaurus to a modern Komodo dragon in terms of feeding style.' 'This biomechanical diversity suggests that dinosaur ecosystems supported a wider range of giant carnivore ecologies than we often assume,' he added.

Desperate locals complain convenience store smells like 'fish and death'
Desperate locals complain convenience store smells like 'fish and death'

Daily Mirror

time01-06-2025

  • Daily Mirror

Desperate locals complain convenience store smells like 'fish and death'

Locals say inconsiderate parking, dumped rubbish, and planning issues have made life unbearable around Best Foods Mega - with the smell of 'fish and death' driving residents mad Furious residents living close to a convenience store say they are at breaking point with the chaos, rubbish and a stench of "fish and death". The former Phythian pub on Farnworth Street in Kensington, Liverpool, is now operating as Best Foods Mega, and a wave of complaints has prompted a Liverpool Council investigation. Locals say inconsiderate parking, dumped rubbish, and planning issues have made life unbearable. "People are living in this forced situation," one neighbour told the Liverpool Echo. Among the most vocal is Andrew Rowe, whose parents live nearby. He's been sending weekly emails to council officials, including council leader Cllr Liam Robinson, sharing photos of cars clogging pavements and loading bays. ‌ A manager at Best Foods Mega said they are aware of the concerns and cooperating with the investigation, telling The Mirror they are "working very hard to sort the problems". ‌ Mr Rowe, who has sent almost a year's worth of correspondence to the Cunard Building, said issues began in 2022. He explained: "I can't remember a time when it wasn't as bad as it is now." Problems included the smell emanating from the fishmonger and takeaway, with Mr Rowe likening the scent to "death and fish at night". He added: "In my job, I've smelt death and a couple of times it was exactly the same." Residents have called the area "the worst street in the city". Mr Rowe said: "People are living in this forced situation, the thing we struggle against is that it's so popular. It doesn't serve a purpose for us here as a community." ‌ Due to its popularity, the shop often finds itself surrounded by parked cars, despite the business putting up signs encouraging people not to leave their cars in an anti-social fashion. Mr Rowe said his family had sometimes struggled to get out of their front gate, because of the number of cars left in the road. He said: "There's disgraceful mess left by customers after they've eaten at the takeaway, which they treat as a street vendor. This is a residential street, not a high street or public restaurant." ‌ Neighbour Roy Linney, who lives opposite the shop with his wife, Mo, said: "It's constant, seven days a week, from 8am we hear noise, things being loaded right into the night, it's full on." Mr Linney added that he felt frustrated at the lack of action from Liverpool Council. "Everything feels totally drawn out. The way rubbish has been dumped we've seen a big increase in rats, flies and mess like that," he said. In December last year, a planning application was rejected for a three-story extension to the building to incorporate nine flats as well as amendments to the building. According to a design and access statement attached to the application, the business sought to "modernise to accommodate a variety of retail units, including a takeaway restaurant, fishmonger, butcher, clothing store, and jewellery shop, each with ample stockroom storage within the commercial unit." It said the proposed works would "have a positive impact on the local community and economy. By revitalising the commercial scene and providing essential amenities, we will attract new businesses and customers to the area, boosting foot traffic and revitalizing the local commercial scene". ‌ This was rejected by city planners who said the development would be "excessive and harmful to the residential amenity and character of the areas due to the associated deliveries, customer visits and comings and goings linked to the nine residential flats". A spokesperson for the city council said it continues to monitor the situation through its enforcement task group. The authority said representatives from its planning, environmental health, highways and parking services teams are "actively engaged in assessing and responding to issues raised by residents". ‌ Among these are the failed planning application, resident complaints about a hot food counter and use of the building, and a structure within a council-owned alleyway. Weekly site monitoring has been undertaken, with city council officials reaching out to shop staff to discuss operational impacts on the surrounding area. The spokesperson said: "To ensure swift and robust action, enforcement measures are being applied where necessary. Highways has issued a notice regarding the unauthorised alleyway structure; Environmental Health continues to monitor activities at the fishmongers for any potential nuisance issues such as smells, noise, and waste; and Parking Services is visiting the location to enforce regulations." In the last year, nine penalty charge notices have been issued around the business, while planning officers have begun a review of developments on site "following concerns that unauthorised work has begun upstairs". The spokesperson said it was "important to maintain an open dialogue with both residents and local businesses". ‌ The statement added: "Residents are encouraged to continue to report any concerns through official channels as this will ensure proper case documentation and further enforcement where appropriate. "Liverpool Council remains dedicated to upholding planning and environmental standards while ensuring that any actions taken are fair and proportionate. Multiple teams from the council will continue to work collaboratively to address any ongoing concerns regarding this business and the surrounding area." A manager at Best Foods Mega told the Mirror the store was working with the council, community officer, highway officer, and environment officers and talking to them personally. He said: "We are working very hard to sort the problems." In response to parking complaints, he said they have brought in security from 3 to 7pm to control parking. The manager also said the store did "not smell like fish", as it was sold in a closed area of the store, but could possibly smell on delivery days.

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