Tyrannosaurs as long-lived species
Abstract
Biodemographic analysis would be essential to understand population ecology and aging of tyrannosaurs. Here we address a methodology that quantifies tyrannosaur survival and mortality curves by utilizing modified stretched exponential survival functions. Our analysis clearly shows that mortality patterns for tyrannosaurs are seemingly analogous to those for 18th-century humans. This result suggests that tyrannosaurs would live long to undergo aging before maximum lifespans, while their longevity strategy is more alike to big birds rather than 18th-century humans.
- Publication:
-
Scientific Reports
- Pub Date:
- January 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1038/srep19554
- Bibcode:
- 2016NatSR...619554W