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In the Presence of Dinosaurs

In the Presence of Dinosaurs is book that was published in 2000 by John Colagrande and Larry Felder.

In the Presence of Dinosaurs
AuthorJohn Colagrande, Larry Felder
LanguageEnglish
GenreReference encyclopedia
PublisherTime Life Medical
Publication date
2000
Pages189 pp
ISBN0-7370-0089-9
OCLC44046896
567.9 21
LC ClassQE861.4 .C65 2000

Plot

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In the Presence of Dinosaurs focuses predominantly on the dinosaurs of North America over the course of five different time periods and details the flora, fauna, geology and geography of each time period in a manner akin to a naturalist's viewpoint. The book is divided into seven chapters, each supplemented with illustrations regarding the prominent animals and plants in each time and area.

Chapter 1: New World Order

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The first chapter focuses on the rise of life in North America after the Permian Extinction during the Triassic. The rise of archosaurs as one of the predominant groups is highlighted, along with their competitors, the therapsids, such as Cynognathus. Pterosaurs are shown beginning to take flight.

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Chapter 2: Veiled Woodlands

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This second chapter focuses on the areas that became the Petrified Forest during the Triassic. Here, phytosaurs such as Rutiodon and rauisuchians such as Postosuchus dominated as the region's top predators, and the Stagonolepis and Placerias played the role of the local large herbivores. Dinosaurs such as Coelophysis and Fabrosaurus also dwell here, but are considered uncommon animals in the ecosystem.

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Chapter 3: Rift Valley

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The third chapter focuses on the Early Jurassic rift valleys and lake ecosystems. By this time, the dinosaurs now completely dominated the landscape, and their adaptations that allowed them to survive this unpredictable, drought and forest fire-prone environment are discussed.

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Chapter 4: Plains Dominion

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Chapter 4 takes place during the Late Jurassic (Tithonian stage), and focuses on the iconic fauna of the time period, such as Apatosaurus, Allosaurus, and Stegosaurus among others. Also discussed is how the changing of the wet and dry seasons affected the wildlife and how sauropods influenced the landscape, along with Comodactylus and other pterosaurs.

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Chapter 5: Wandering Shores

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The fifth chapter deals with the Niobrara Sea during the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The speculative habits of animals such as Hesperornis and Pteranodon are examined, and the influence of the sea is discussed.

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Chapter 6: Corridor

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Corridor discusses the biodiversity of the dinosaurs of Laramidia, the possible migrations they might have made to feed and reproduce, and how those migrations affected both local wildlife and the environment.

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Chapter 7: Glens of Hell Creek

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In this last chapter, the impact of Tyrannosaurus on its environment and fellow animals is discussed and how it in turn was affected by its prey.

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