Carnivorous predators also lived in the same region as the little tree climber, but they were not well equipped for ascending trees. As a result, the researchers think vertebrates headed for the trees not only to escape hungry predators, but also to move away from massive ground-dwelling herbivores that must have gobbled up most of the quality ground-level plants. Frobisch explained that before this first known tree-dweller emerged, "terrestrial vertebrate communities were composed of various-sized predators and relatively few plant-eaters, with most of the food resources being provided by insects and aquatic organisms." Slightly later terrestrial ecosystems more closely matched what is seen on Earth today: large numbers of herbivores supporting relatively few top predators. In this environment, some species became ecological specialists, with some animals evolving a burrowing lifestyle and others, like Suminia, literally heading for the trees. "Therefore, this study provides the first evidence in the fossil record of food partitioning between small climbing and large ground-dwelling plant-eaters," concluded Frobisch. The pre-dinosaur mudstone slab containing the analyzed skeletons is now housed at the Yuriy Orlov Paleontological Museum in Moscow. Related Links: Fossil Suggests Human, Ape Ancestor Hails From Asia Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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