The Brontosaurus is back. Or at least it should be, according to a new analysis of the long-necked dinosaur family tree.
The study researchers suggest the dinosaur currently known as Apatosaurus excelsus is different enough from its Apatosaurian kin as to be a different dinosaur altogether. Because A. excelsus was famously first known as Brontosaurus until 1903, the species would revert back to that original name and become Brontosaurus once again.
It's a proposal that excites some paleontologists and leaves others skeptical, but researchers say it's entirely possible that Brontosaurus may eventually regain its place in the scientific nomenclature.
"The big picture is, there are independent groups of researchers looking at these dinos and these relationships, and they are independently arriving at the same conclusion, that the diversity of this family of dinosaurs is greater than previously recognized," said Matthew Mossbrucker, the director and curator of the Morrison Natural History Museum in Colorado. Mossbrucker was not involved in the new study, but is "wholly in favor of bringing the genus Brontosaurus back," he said.
This post is for that little geeky kid in me that was devastated when it was decided that there were no Brontosauruses, and that instead they were simply misidentified Apatosaurus.
The Brontosaurus had been one of my favorite dinosaurs growing up, right below the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops. And losing it was a little hard to take, I have to admit.
I mean sure the Apatosaurus was essentially the same beast, but I just felt that the Brontosaurus name was way cooler.
Well now maybe we don't have to, maybe the Brontosaurus is coming back to our elementary science textbooks and our favorite cartoon series in a big way.
Now if only they will reinstate Pluto as a planet everything will once again be right in the world.
Why don't you follow the example set for us by our wanna-be betters, the GOP (who aim to lead us) and just declare Pluto a planet. Science and experts be damned! If you want Pluto to be a planet, then it must be!
ReplyDeleteJust like their view of climate change, how economics works, Pres Obama's record over the last years, that there was no holocaust, etc.: Just invent your own reality and say it often enough.
Presto change-o!
"Now if only they will reinstate Pluto as a planet everything will once again be right in the world. "
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Beat me to it!
Thrilled, myself. I never understood why they had to change the name, but I'm sure they had a good reason other than breaking my childhood heart. :P
ReplyDeleteSo, like the McRib, the Bronto burger is back?
ReplyDeleteYabadabadoo!
ReplyDeleteRead an interesting book, can't remember the exact title, but something like "Why I killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming". Not a technical read, and an interesting insight into the politics of scientific research and discovery. I miss Pluto, but now we know it was never really a planet.
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