Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/theropods-birds

Introduction

### Course Review and Recommendation: Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds If you hold a fascination for dinosaurs, the evolutionary journey of birds, or the mighty reign of theropods in the prehistoric world, the course “Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds” offered through Coursera is a compelling choice. This five-lesson course, led by knowledgeable instructors, provides a well-rounded exploration of the intricate relationship between theropod dinosaurs and their avian descendants. #### Overview The course delves deep into the anatomy, diversity, and evolutionary history of theropod dinosaurs, specifically how they are linked to the origin of birds. With an engaging mix of scientific discovery and historical context, the course draws on the rigorous research and fossil records that illuminate these ancient creatures. Each lesson is structured to build on the previous one, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of how birds, the living descendants of theropods, took flight and evolved into the dynamic creatures we see today. #### Course Syllabus Highlights 1. **Bird Anatomy**: The course kicks off with an exploration of bird anatomy and adaptations. It introduces you to Victorian scientists who first posited the connection between dinosaurs and modern birds. This lesson lays the groundwork for understanding the anatomical innovations that enabled flight. 2. **Survey of Non-Avian Theropods**: The second lesson provides a fascinating survey of theropods following the Permian mass extinction. You will learn how these agile creatures evolved from small, simple forms to dominate their ecosystems. It is enlightening to see how these ancient predators adapted and thrived over millions of years. 3. **Coelurosaurs I & II**: The subsequent lessons dive into the evolution of coelurosaurs, highlighting their diversity, speed, and predatory skills. You will discover how perceptions of dinosaurs shifted dramatically during the “Dinosaur Renaissance,” revealing them as intelligent and socially complex animals, setting the stage for understanding the origin of modern birds. 4. **The Avian World**: The final lesson addresses the extinction event that wiped out most dinosaurs while sparing birds. This section details the evolutionary milestones that allowed birds to conquer various ecosystems. From flightless birds to those that excel at predation, you’ll gain insights into avian diversification and adaptability. #### Why You Should Enroll - **Expert Instruction**: The course is designed and taught by experts in paleontology, ensuring the content is not only accurate but also engaging and insightful. - **Comprehensive Learning**: With its multi-faceted approach, this course picks apart various hypotheses for the origin of flight, explores the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, while making complex concepts easily digestible. - **Rich Historical Context**: The inclusion of historical figures and milestones in paleontological research adds depth, enhancing your appreciation for the field and its evolution over time. - **Flexible Learning**: Being an online course means you can learn at your own pace, making it suitable for both novice dinosaur enthusiasts and seasoned paleontology fans. - **Engaging Format**: The lessons are designed with a mix of videos, readings, and quizzes that keep you engaged and facilitate a comprehensive understanding of each topic. #### Conclusion "Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds" is a rewarding course that is highly recommended for anyone intrigued by paleontology or the evolutionary journey of life on Earth. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to expand your knowledge or a student seeking supplementary learning, this course offers an enriching experience. If you want to explore paleontological wonders and the origins of our feathered friends, I encourage you to check it out and embark on this educational journey. You can find a preview of the course and enroll through the University of Alberta's platform on Coursera [here](https://uofa.ualberta.ca/courses/paleontology-theropod-dinosaurs).

Syllabus

Bird Anatomy

In Lesson 1, we explore the anatomy and adaptations of birds, and meet the Victorian scientists who first suspected the link between the terrible lizards and modern birds. In order to fly, birds have undergone a series of anatomical specializations that distinguishes them from other vertebrates. However, many of the most striking and anatomically unusual traits of birds originated over 230 million years ago with the very first theropod dinosaurs. Just a quick note before you get started: 'Palaios' is the Greek word for 'ancient', so palaeontology or paleontology is the study of ancient life. Both spellings are correct, with palaeontology used in Britain, and paleontology more common in the US.

In the wake of the Permian mass extinction, the prehistoric world was ripe for the taking. All the world’s landmass was consolidated into the single supercontinent: Pangaea. With no seas standing in their way, new terrestrial animal lineages were able to exploit new habitats all across the globe. Archosaurs, meaning ‘ruling reptiles’, came to dominate Triassic ecosystems. However, dinosaurian archosaurs were not the top predators. Instead, crurotarsans sat undisputed at the top of the food chain. The first theropods were small, but agile carnivores, and although they started out as the Darwinian equivalent of the mail room clerks, by the next geological period (the Jurassic), they were large and in charge. In Lesson 2, we will introduce you to some of the earliest theropods, and explore the anatomical secrets to their survival and eventual success. We will also meet the largest land predators of all time.

In the previous lesson, we explored how the various theropod lineages adapted to their role as apex predators. In this lesson, we will explore a new group of theropods, as much characterized by their speed and agility as their predatory prowess. The coelurosaurs were the most successful and diverse of all the theropods, and included herbivores, the smallest of all dinosaurs, and, of course, the mighty tyrannosaurs.

Dinosaurs had long been thought of as overgrown reptiles; cold blooded, swamp bound, with meagre intelligence and little to no social complexity. The ‘Dinosaur Renaissance’ was a revolution in palaeontological thinking that entirely transformed that traditional image of dinosaurs. In Lesson 4, we will see how new research and discoveries over the past fifty years have shaped our modern image of dinosaurs into one of energetic, intelligent animals, that likely displayed many of the complex social behaviours witnessed in modern birds. You’ll also meet the deinonychosaurs, A.K.A. ‘the raptors’, and you will learn the leading theories for how one group of dinosaurs learned to fly.

66 million years ago, an asteroid the larger than Mt. Everest collided with the earth and brought about the extinction of the dinosaurs…except birds! Now that you’re familiar with some of their larger Mesozoic ancestors and their bird-like features, it’s time to meet the avian lineage proper. With the evolution of flight, birds could exploit habitats and resources that were literally unreachable by other animals. The evolution of birds has been one of diversification. Flightlessness has evolved numerous times, as have specializations for insectivory, swimming, and predation. Although theropods may no longer dominate the land, they still rule the skies.