Carnosaur
MemberCompsognathusFeb-24-2014 8:37 AMSiamosaurus is one of those theropods that's huge, yet sorely overlooked. Why? well, it's a relatively new discovery.The type species, Siamosaurus suteethorni, was formally described by Buffetaut and Ingavat in 1986. There is very little information on this Cretaceous meat-eater, but it is known from teeth that closely resemble those of Spinosaurus
As most spinosaurs are, Siamosaurus is pretty massive. Stretching nine meters(30 feet) long and weighing two and a half tons. It's name means "Siamese lizard" as it's remains were found in Thailand.
A 2010 publication by Romain Amiot and colleagues found that oxygen isotope ratios of spinosaurid bones indicates semiaquatic lifestyles. Isotope ratios from teeth from the spinosaurids Baryonyx, Irritator, Siamosaurus, and Spinosaurus were compared with isotopic compositions from contemporaneous theropods, turtles, and crocodilians. The study found that, among theropods, spinosaurid isotope ratios were closer to those of turtles and crocodilians. Siamosaurus specimens tended to have the largest difference from the ratios of other theropods, and Spinosaurus tended to be have the least difference. The authors concluded that spinosaurids, like modern crocodilians and hippopotamuses, spent much of their daily lives in water.
A lot is yet to be known about these piscovorious giants, and once more fossils are unearthed, we might just get an insight into their ecology.
Nature doesn't deceive us; it is we who deceive ourselves.
UCMP 118742
MemberCompsognathusFeb-24-2014 9:24 AMVery interesting.
Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe in. -Brom-
Lord Vader
MemberTyrannosaurus RexFeb-24-2014 10:49 AMVery interesting dinosaur indeed. I first saw the topic and thought it was Siamotyrannus, not Siamosaurus.
Jack of all trades. Master of none
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-24-2014 3:04 PMOne of my favorite spinosaurs.
Primal King
MemberCompsognathusFeb-24-2014 4:16 PMI like how the look of the spinosaur varies, because all we have is teeth. Lets the imagination fill in the rest. ;)
"If you can't see it... It's already too late."
-Jurassic Apocalypse (by Paden)