
doi: 10.1038/278635a0
ANNUAL growth rings are often found in the skeletal tissues of Recent and fossil ectothermic vertebrates1,2. These rings are usually attributed to the inability of ectotherms to maintain high levels of activity, feeding and growth during adverse times, such as dry seasons in tropical areas and cold seasons at higher, more temperate latitudes1. In endothermic vertebrates, however, the efficient production of endogenous heat results in a relatively constant body temperature, and high activity and feeding levels are more easily sustained. Consequently, the growth of skeletal tissues in these animals is less sensitive to seasonal variations than in ectotherms, and annulations are rare except in species living under severe seasonal regimes3,4. Many workers have proposed that dinosaurs were endothermic, as are all living mammals and birds, rather than ectothermic, as are all living reptiles3,5–10. In accordance with this hypothesis, pronounced seasonal growth rings have not been observed in the calcified tissues of dinosaurs5,6. However, here I report the discovery of such rings in the teeth of diverse Late Cretaceous dinosaurs.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 23 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
