IGUANODON: Question Authority (1 of 2)

Incorrect view of Iguanodon

As only the second Dinosaur to be discovered, Iguanodon reflects the development of the science of paleontology. In fact when She was named by Gideon Mantell in 1825, “Dinosaurs” were still an unknown concept. He had named Her for her iguana-like teeth, and regarded her “thumb” spike to be a nose horn similar to an Iguana.

In 1842, Sir Richard Owen, a creationist, in order to rebut various theories of evolution, created the Dinosaur Order (Dinosauria) from Iguanodon, Megalosaurus, and Hylaeosaurus. In contrast to the prevailing thought that these extinct animals were Reptiles, Owen reconstructed Iguanodon as a huge four-footed Mammal. Meanwhile, Mantell had the revolutionary concept that Iguanodon was a plant eater, when naturalists at this time regarded Dinosaurs to be only giant carnivores.

            These varying images formed the first pictures of Iguanodon for the public. Depicted as a lumbering low-slung animal, Iguanodon was displayed with her “thumb” spike on her nose. The life-size reconstruction of Iguanodon, at the Crystal Palace in London in 1852, resembled an Elephant with sharp teeth. This particular depiction of her became firmly entrenched in the public’s mind.

            This image changed in 1878, when a group of Iguanodon fossils was discovered in a mine in Belgium. When these fossils were finally reconstructed, scientists realized that Iguanodon looked much different from what they initially thought. In his models, Louis Dollo presented her new image to the public. Resembling a giant Wallaby, Iguanodon stood upright on her hind legs, while balancing on her long tail. Dollo moved her nose horn to the end of her hand for her “thumb” spike. Dollo’s presentation of Her lasted for an hundred years.

            In the 1980s as paleontologists re-examined their ideas of Dinosaurs, they realized that they were wrong about Iguanodon. If She had sat on her tail, it would have broken in two. Meanwhile, other new discoveries revealed that Dinosaurs had stiff tails that they held high off the ground. Having a stiffened tail meant that Iguanodon could walk on two feet or four feet, as She chose. Since Iguanodon could do this, She could search for both low lying plants and ones at the tree tops.

DINOSAURS: IGUANODONT FAMILY (“ADVANCED BEAKED” ORNITHOPODS): Mirror to the Self

Usually grouped with the Hypsilophodonts, Iguanodonts are considered to be the more advanced of the “Beaked Dinosaur” (Ornithopoda) Family. Considerably larger than Hypsilophodonts, Iguanodonts switched from walking around on two legs to going about four legs. With their toothless beaks and specialized jaws, these Dinosaurs not only could eat a wide variety of plants, but also break their food down more efficiently.

            As one of the first groups of Dinosaurs ever to be discovered, the Iguanodon Family is also one of the best known. Being a relatively successful Family, They lived from the middle Jurassic to the late Cretaceous (about 100 million years). However, paleontologists considered this Family to be a “waste basket” (artificial) grouping of Dinosaurs, who were neither completely Duck-billed nor “Primitive Beaked” Dinosaurs. Moreover, cladistics revealed that this group display the evolution of Dinosaurs from Hypsilophodonts (“Primitive Beaked” Dinosaurs) to Hadrosaurs (Duck-billed Dinosaurs).

            The Iguanodont Family reflects the growth in people’s knowledge of Dinosaurs from the first historical discovery to modern times. As we learned more about Dinosaurs, this Family became the measuring stick for our growth in wisdom. Acting as the mirror to ourselves, the Iguanodont Family tells us where we have succeeded or failed. When we want an honest assessment of ourselves, we look to this Family for what next They will reveal to us.

HYPSILOPHODON: Speed

Note: Front claws may be incorrect.

Discovered in 1849 on the Isle of Wight, Hypsilophodon was first mistaken for a small Iguanodon. Since both species were considered to be “Beaked Dinosaurs” (Ornithopoda), confusion about who was who was common in the early days of paleontology. Finally in 1874, scientists decided that She was a different Genus from Iguanodon. However paleontologists continued to make erroneous assumptions about Hypsilophodon. For example, they believed that She climbed trees like Tree Kangaroo. Then in 1970, paleontologists re-examined their theories about Her. They realized that Hypsilophodon was a fast runner who could not climb trees.

            Once scientists sorted out who Hypsilophodon was, they were amazed by her speed. Besides being small and light, She had long and slender legs. Using her strong thigh muscles, Hypsilophodon could dodge and dart between the larger Dinosaurs. While running on her two feet, She held her long tail straight out for balance. Built for speed, Hypsilophodon could execute sharp maneuvers.

            When faced with the need for a speedy getaway or to avoid being crushed by something larger than you, look to Hypsilophodon for help. Let Her show you how to zip around with ease. Also learn from Her how to finesse tricky corners. When speed is needed, what better teacher than Hypsilophodon?

DINOSAURS: HYPSILOPHODONT FAMILY (“PRIMITIVE BEAKED” ORNITHOPODS): Self-worth

The Hypsilophodont Family and the Iguanodont Family are traditionally grouped together as “Beaked Dinosaurs” (Ornithopoda).  The former would be the “Primitive Beaked” Dinosaurs, and the latter “Advanced Beaked” ones. Moreover, the Hypsilophodonts were considered to be bird-hipped Dinosaurs, who walked on two feet (bipedal). Dinosaurs included in this Family are Drinker, Hypsilophodon, and Leaellynasaura. However, several members of the Hypsilophodont Family are more closely related to Iguanodonts, than to other Hypsilophodonts.         

Since the Hypsilophodont Family was discovered at the beginning of paleontology, They originally were not properly defined. Named in 1886 by O.C. Marsh, Hypsilophodonts were thought to have “bird feet,” which later proved to be incorrect. Later scientists realized that the defining characteristic of this Family was their mouths. These Dinosaurs had beaks, and powerful jaws with simple leaf-shaped teeth. Hence They are now regarded as “Primitive Beaked” Dinosaurs.

Hypsilophodonts were speedy little Dinosaurs, who zipped along the countryside on two legs. Living in the shadow of larger, fiercer Dinosaurs, Hypsilophodonts had to be tough. Successful at grazing on low laying plants, this Family thrived from the early Jurassic to the end of the Cretaceous. They even lived in Antarctica, surviving the long dark winters there.

            “Primitive Beaked” Dinosaurs (Hypsilophodonts) are not what people imagine when they ponder Dinosaurs. Though not huge, these swift little Dinosaurs were as fierce as their giant “cousins.” Hypsilophodonts defy our notions of Dinosaurs. These small robust Dinosaurs are as worthy of the title “Dinosaurs” as the others are. Hypsilophodonts exude self-worth by being small but mighty. When you feel unimportant or insignificant, let Them encourage you to have pride at being yourself.