Maniraptoran Dinosaurs by David Burnham

Maniraptoran Dinosaurs by David Burnham

Maniraptora includes the first known bird, Archaeopteryx, the small, four-winged, feathered glider, Microraptor, and the terrestrial runner Bambiraptor. All are considered important links in the origin of flight and a subsequent transition to terrestriality. In cladistic classifications, dromaeosaurid dinosaurs were only considered terrestrial cursors. The discovery of a gliding stage within the dromaeosaurs confounds the currently suggested evolutionary framework and lacks predictability for origin of flight scenarios. Paleoclimate was a significant factor for evolution of dinosaur-like birds and birdlike dinosaurs during the Mesozoic. This time is characterized by faunal and floral changes reflecting the cooling trend at end of the Cretaceous. The environment opened up making it difficult for poor fliers and gliders as forested areas became less dense. Secondarily flightless terrestrial forms and birds with full flight capabilities survived best in these new environments. Eventually, birds of modern aspect probably replaced the primitive maniraptorans since they were more efficient fliers and had evolved higher metabolic rates suitable for the cooler climate.

David Burnham is one of America's foremost investigative reporters. In more than 18 years with The New York Times he uncovered abuses, corruption and wrongdoing at powerful government agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the FBI and the New York Police Department. His reporting work with Frank Serpico and David Durk led to the formation of the Knapp Commission and reform of the New York Police Department. Karen Silkwood was driving to meet with Burnham on abuses at the Kerr-McGee nuclear power plant in Oklahoma when she was killed under mysterious circumstances. For 25 years Burnham has been co-director of the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a nonprofit organization affiliated with Syracuse University.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9783639132656
ISBN 10	3639132653
Title	Maniraptoran Dinosaurs
Author	David Burnham
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	VDM Verlag
Year published	2010-02-02
Number of pages	128
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable