Sexual maturity in growing dinosaurs does not fit reptilian growth models
Sexual maturity in growing dinosaurs does not fit reptilian growth models
Andrew H Lee,S. Werning
2008 · DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0708903105
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 234 Citations
TLDR
It is shown by counting lines of arrested growth and performing growth curve reconstructions that Tenontosaurus, Allosaurus, and Tyrannosaurus were reproductively mature by 8, 10, and 18 years, respectively, which suggests that these dinosaurs were born relatively precocial and experienced high adult mortality.