The Origin of Dinosaurs and the Beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs

Extract

What are dinosaurs? What features characterize them? Who were their closest relatives? What were the times like when the dinosaurs first evolved? How did their appearance change the balance of diversity in terrestrial ecosystems? During the past decade we have come to know much more about these topics than ever before. What follows is only a brief review. For more extensive information, readers are referred to the chapters in Padian (1986a), particularly the Introduction, on questions of the Late Triassic - Early Jurassic transition; and to Gauthier (1984, 1986) on the characteristics of dinosaurs and their relations. Because this is meant to be a general account, like the other papers in this book, it is impossible to cite every worker, discovery, or relevant paper in the field, and some personal judgments must be exercised.