Comparing growth patterns of three species: Similarities and differences

PLoS One. 2019 Oct 23;14(10):e0224168. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224168. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Quantitative studies of the growth of dinosaurs have made comparisons with modern animals possible. Therefore, it is meaningful to ask, if extinct dinosaurs grew faster than modern animals, e.g. birds (modern dinosaurs) and reptiles. However, past studies relied on only a few growth models. If these models were false, what about the conclusions? This paper fits growth data to a more comprehensive class of models, defined by the von Bertalanffy-Pütter (BP) differential equation. Applied to data about Tenontosaurus tilletti, Alligator mississippiensis and the Athens Canadian Random Bred strain of Gallus gallus domesticus the best fitting growth curves did barely differ, if they were rescaled for size and lifespan. A difference could be discerned, if time was rescaled for the age at the inception point (maximal growth) or if the percentual growth was compared.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Alligators and Crocodiles / growth & development*
  • Animals
  • Biodiversity*
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Canada
  • Chickens / growth & development*
  • Dinosaurs / growth & development*

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.