15. Hadrosaurid background: David C. Evans, McGraw-Hill’s AccessScience, http://www.accessscience.com, Sept. 8, 2010
16. D. C. Evans, Nasal cavity homologies and cranial crest function in lambeosaurine dinosaurs, Paleobiology, 32:109–125, 2006
17. K Otsuka, CM Wayman, Shape Memory Materials, Cambridge University Press, 1999 ISBN 0521663849
18. Steve Fiffer (2000). Tyrannosaurus Sue. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN 0-7167-4017-6
Initial estimation of dinosaur intelligence arose from a comparison of modern reptile brains. Reptiles tend to fill only 50% of the cavity. Soft-tissue fossil remains discovered since the early papers, suggest larger cranial capacity along with greater development of the higher centers such as sight, smell and cognitive senses. Dinosaurs seem to be increasing in both intelligence and capability as we learn more about them.
Current theory is that the Troondon, or Stenonychosaurus inequalis, was a very smart predatory dinosaur. Perhaps one of the smartest. Speculation, based on brain size and ignoring the higher oxygen content or the era, has them as smart as an ostrich. Some researchers have even suggested that if the breed had been allowed to develop further, the eventual development of advanced capabilities could have evolved into homo-sapiens like intelligence, see references.
It is easy to conclude that we are underestimating dinosaur intelligence just as we have underestimated their ability to survive, form familial relationships and move efficiently. Homosapiens has been around for at least 14 thousand years using advanced technology such as writing. Traces of tool-making go back to near 1 million on the evolutionary ladder and most likely a bit longer.
Non-avian dinosaur development covers a time span of about 200 million years, quite enough time to adapt and develop. Intelligence does not have to develop along the same lines as human intelligence. Consider the complex problem solving capabilities of the common octopus.
Theropods survived the tertiary extinction to evolve into birds. Did this single group survive because of their predator intelligence? How does brain size compare with intelligence?
If a larger brain means a smarter animal then are we smarter than an elephant or a whale? Consider also the recent intelligence studies on the twelve inch high African Gray Parrots such as the paper in reference 14. It is generally recognized that Gray’s not only can communicate but can be taught to think logically similar to humans. So, how large is the brain of an African Gray? Do they really think?
“According to Dr. Pepperberg, their Gray could identify 50 different objects and recognize quantities up to 6; that he could distinguish 7 colors and 5 shapes, and understand "bigger," "smaller," "same" and "different," and that he was learning the concepts of "over" and "under." Hold a tray of different shapes and colored objects in front of him, as Dr. Pepperberg was doing the other day as a reporter watched, and he can distinguish an object by its color, shape and the material it is made of. Dr. Pepperberg said she frequently changed objects to make sure Alex wasn't just memorizing things and that she structured experiments to avoid involuntary cues from his examiner.” (paraphrased from New York Times article, October 9, 1999 by Dinitia Smith).
Therefore, we do not know why birds survived and we don’t know the true intelligence level of the dinosaurs. We do know that no birds, after the extinction event, ever grew again to the size of the Tyrannosaurus or the even larger predators of the Cretaceous. The largest birds in the fossil record since the event are the extinct elephant birds of Madagascar and they were about 10 feet in size.
The Jensen Boat of course does not exist but materials with a shape memory, both metallic and synthetic, are currently in expanding use.
The attack of the Tyrannosaurs is of course speculative. Plaeontologists however do not know the use of the hands for the Tyrannosaurus Rex. They seem so small compared to the rest of the animal. Skeletal and muscular studies though suggest that they should have been capable of picking up a 600 pound boulder under present gravity. There is also fossil evidence of broken arms that healed before the death of the Rex indicating that they did not limply hang in front of the animals. The T-Rex was using them for something.
Sue, the fossil Rex found summer of 1990 by Sue Hendrickson, was an older dinosaur. They have evidence that she was travelling in a family group with two smaller dinosaurs, probably her offspring. So there was a hierarchy here and a family structure proving the Rex was not the dumb brute that we originally thought.
Chapter 5: For All We Are About to Receive
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”
Albert Einstein
A long warble left his throat to soar into the night sky joining the calls of the others. The answer came immediately from others of the family farther down the high flatlands. All was well and the night hunt was on.
Running with his mates for a short time brought them to the open ground just above the ocean. The light rising above the ocean glowed across the waves. It was brighter than last night. This was good; it made the hunt easier.
They stood at the cliff edge and joined to briefly sing a cry of well-being into the night. The long cries of the others told him that no big-ones are around tonight. The hunt was theirs. There would be no need to protect their grounds tonight.
The hunters ran down along the clear water on the open cliff-edge catching the little-food. They ate two on the spot and young-one took the others back to the burrow for the nestlings. There is a joy to the hunt. Joy of feeling the ground pass swiftly beneath your feet. Joy of the ocean breeze as you ran past the land crest. The joy of family running at your side filled with strength and kinship. Another cool breeze blew from the mainland and it carried the hot smells of the night. Food was near. The hunt would be good.
Around the gray-stone edge they ran to once again pass next to the water. They saw it ahead. Light that came not from the sky but from the land. An unnatural light that filled the grounds further down. They would have to leave the water’s edge soon for these were the new-ones. The new-ones had claimed this land and defended it from hunting by the family. Several of the family had died trying to drive them from their hunting grounds. The new-ones did not fight or run, they simply stood. If a hunter attacked ground rose before his feet. The hunter that did not turn-back died. Unlike the big-ones, the new-ones did not try to eat those they killed. Unlike the big-ones, they did not attack when you went back for those who died. They were new and unexplained.
The hunters stood and briefly watched the land of the new-ones in fascination. They could see them moving in the dark but as they moved the small lights of the night moved with them. These lights had never been there before and they didn’t come from the sky. Then the horizon began to brighten as the big light rose from out of the ocean. The song of the big-food rose as it always did to greet the big light. Looking to the song-makers, he could see some new-ones sitting on the trail edge with some of the big-food. Perhaps they too were big-food. No matter, let the new-ones have their ground. They do not threaten the family.
* * * * *
Sunrise always was Sara’s favorite time of day. A hot, half-eclipsed red circle was rising from the ocean horizon as Sara and Brittany walked the path over to the Hypsilophodon nests. The clouds here seemed to be less than she remembered from home. That did little to diminish the morning’s magnificence as the cirrus streaks climbed from the horizon to flare red with the long rays of the rising sun.
Up the trail they could hear the beginnings of the daybreak song of the Hypsilophodon or Hypes as the Station personnel nicknamed them. Sara always loved to listen to the morning songbirds when she was in the field. She always rose early and would often be the first out to the dig just so she could listen. These songs were strangely different.
‘Listen Brittany. Did you ever hear those recordings where they impose canary song over the soundtrack of a symphony or coral group? The Hypes seem to carry melodies without the song. Look over there.’ she said pointing to a cluster of
eight Hypes who were gazing out over the ocean to the rising sun. ‘See the majority are stretching their heads high and long, sweet tones intermixed in a pattern a smooth ballad or perhaps a lullaby. Those three have their cheek-sacs puffed out and they are singing in chirps and whistles like a long bird. Listen though, it’s not the mixed calls we hear at home. At home each bird sings its own unique song without synchronization but these singers are in unison to a single melody like a human coral group.’
‘Stop here, I don’t want to interrupt the choir.’
With the rise of the sun the intensity of song rose. It rose and fell like the flight of the Pterosaurs as they launched from the cliff-side to skim the waves below. A small group of tiny pterosaurs flew from over the cliff edge to skim the flowers around them. Each of them no larger than a canary, these tiny reptiles seemed to rise and fall with the refrain of the Hypes. Unlike birds, they didn’t fly in unison but somehow did seem to move in the same direction. Each following their own path but to a common destination like butterflies on the wing. They also didn’t fly like birds, the wing motions were all wrong. Somehow different.
‘It’s amazing.’ Brittany whispered to Sara. ‘Sometimes, if you don’t look closely you think they are birds. At times I barely notice them consciously and my brain thinks “What’s wrong with that bird? It’s not moving its wings property.” and then it hits me. They aren’t birds, they are reptiles.’
The sun broke from the horizon and the long shadows began to shorten into a new, sun-filled glorious day. As they resumed their walk to the nests, three young Hypes came over to greet them. They said their hellos and went to greet the others as they emerged. Sara liked working with the Hypes.
‘Now watch closely.’ Sara reached into one of their boxes to grab a single collar. ‘The clamp is opened by grasping these two studs. We have three different sizes. You’ll have to examine the neck of each Hype and make a guess as to the proper size.’
‘Make sure the chain is not twisted when you put it on. Also, insure that each one has a communications tab on it. If a Hype goes outside the Station they would be shot when they try to return without one of these. The AutoSentinels along the perimeter have been set to recognize a collar response transmission and hold their fire. So don’t miss any, especially the young ones. They seem to roam more than the parents.’
Brittany examined one of the chains. It was common enough metal chain in appearance. The collars locked securely with a mechanism that David assured them the Hypes would not be able to undo. The communications tab was a thin strip that hung from the collar and functioned like a simple-minded Hive Tab. It could record data as well as respond to radio frequency requests. The thin strip also provided response to Global Positioning Satellite requests that would allow Sara to monitor the position any of the Hypes using the five stationary satellites that Argos had deployed at the Lagrangian Points of the orbit.
The AutoSentinels placed along the perimeter were in full operation now. They would allow anything to pass out of the Station area. The sensors are set so that nothing with a mass near that of a man or greater can enter without challenge. Those who persist in entry attempts, without the proper transponder response, are automatically shot. Humans had full HiveTab transponders so they could pass without problem. The collars on the Hype’s also responded to the AutoSentinel challenge and allowed the wearer safe re-entry.
‘Mom, are you sure they won’t mind me going down into the nest?’
‘They have gotten very used to our snooping. Luckily they are very mild tempered and don’t object. Just be careful and don’t step on any eggs.’
‘Heeellooo Saaar! Heeellooo Saar!’ came a voice sounding like Molly Pateur’s behind them. Sara turned to see a to a four-foot high, bright eyed Hype running toward them.
‘Hi Fran! How are you girl? Stop it. Get your hands out of that box I’ll show you what we have in a minute.’ Sara went over and gave her a good-natured scratch behind her ear. ‘Watch out for that tail. Grab that box Brittany! Fran, you are a walking disaster!’
‘OK, let’s get going. Remember, every chick capable of walking gets a collar. Let’s hurry. I want to be back there when the ship lands.’
* * * * *
The Argos slowed as it glided high across the ocean. Bright topped clouds with red bottoms passed beneath the ship as she flew in for their first official landing on this new world. Below them passed a dark, empty ocean, just awakening to the warm rays of another day.
A slow easy glide brought the huge vessel above the plateau. The Argos settled to a hover and a broad cylinder extruded from under the center of the ship. Slowly the starcraft lowered itself onto the silicon base prepared below until the cylinder’s end set on the silicon surface and then settled to rest. Four legs unfolded to stabilize the landing and the quiet humming of the vessel stopped. A few flashes of light ran across the ship’s surface as she released the static charge of the descent and Argos was home.
As the Argos had settled, its gravitonic field enveloped the plateau. The Hive Tabs of those below came alive with the resources and communications traffic of the ship. Once again, the Tabs functioned for group communications and computer access in addition to their own onboard resources. Once again, they could use the gravitonic pallet transports.
Mark Nolan opened a general broadcast. ‘Welcome one and all to Cretaceous Station. I know we’ve all been busy and deserve a break and we will be following the plan discussed last night. All but designated critical personnel can disembark. We’ll be taking a two hour break and brunch will be set up under the tents outside.’
‘Remember, this is not home. If you see something, you don’t know what it is, then don’t touch it.’
‘Dan’s people will be conducting tours around the plateau. Stay with them and be careful around the cliffs. Note that the Hypes nesting site is not to be disturbed. The nest has been clearly marked. Please be courteous.’
‘No one is to go outside of the gates or down the cliff without escort. Dan has set up one tour for those who want to go down to collect shells and visit the grotto. Stay out of the water for now.’
‘We’ll send you a poke when the break is over. We will be unloading only the first tier equipment and supplies. You all have your assigned duties. You’ll have until 18:00 hours to complete the unloading. Afterwards we have a surprise for the picnic dinner and a homecoming celebration. Ok, go out and enjoy yourselves.’
Two large doors opened at the base of the landing cylinder and people emerged to a crisp morning that was quickly warming in the rising sunlight. They walked out onto the turf of the plateau like tourists and without problem. The gravity of the Argos had been slowly adjusted during the last two days to allow those on board to acclimate themselves before disembarking.
Excited children ran out into the sunlight. They saw Molly and Fran over with Sara and ran over. They all wanted to touch and see these wonderful creatures.
‘Easy Molly’, David said soothingly. ‘Easy girl, they won’t hurt you. Most of them are half your size anyway. Look at Fran here. She isn’t bothered.’
‘You kids take it easy. Don’t overpower the Hypes and be very gentile.’
Three other Hypes ran over and began nuzzling and grabbing the children. Some of the children backed away, unsure of the attentions of the larger animals. Several of the smaller chicks were being carried around to the obvious delight of the young girls.
‘Go easy until you get to know them and treat them gently. They won’t hurt you and I don’t want to see anyone being rough with them.’ Sara cautioned. Brittany wondered if she was talking to the kids or the Hypes.
David had to grab two of the younger Hypes that were getting too excited. ‘Glad you put these collars on this morning Sara. OK fellows, now calm down.’
The Hypes began whistling and singing in chorus. It was an obvious song of joy like they sing in the evening over their nests. Obviously, they too were enjoying themselves and seemed to take a special interest in t
he small human children.
Two groups of parents came over. ‘Are you sure these are dinosaurs? Are they really safe?’ they asked.
‘They are mostly herbivores and a lot friendlier and smarter than we thought they would be.’ Sara replied. ‘They took to us right away, almost like we were family. I’m still trying to understand why. As to being safe, we’ve had no mishaps so far. I’d still use a little caution. They’ve only known us for a few days and they are wild animals.’
‘Everything else that we’ve found in the area has been a lot less friendly. We only have yesterdays trip for experience but the serious threats appear to be on the mainland. Best to play it safe though. Be aware of your surroundings and always go armed for now. Go armed even in camp. Until we can really settle in, keep a sidearm handy.’
As they talked, a second group of Hypes entered the area and began to intermix with the new people. They whistled with excitement and several began calling out greetings that mimicked the human voice patterns.
The novelty of the Hypes was wearing off with so many other new sites all around them. Many of the people formed groups walking off accompanied by a Hype or two. Others wanted to see the beach and its shells. Dan Drake was providing secure access to the beach and the ocean grotto at the north side of the plateau. Several high-powered telescopes were set up to allow the visitors to view the ocean and inland wildlife.
Then the break ended and they moved back to unloading the Argos.
Tom Braken called to Adrian. ‘Hey buddy, good to see you again. Welcome to the new world!’
Adrian glided over from the side exit and grabbed Toms hand. ‘You still talking to me?’ he asked. ‘You’re a regular Tom Corbett “Time Ranger” since we’ve had those vids of the first night and your hunting trip. I thought you’d be too much of a celebrity for peons like me.’
Nodal Convergence (Cretaceous Station Book 1) Page 13