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Science 8 July 1994:
Vol. 265. no. 5169, pp. 222 - 224
DOI: 10.1126/science.265.5169.222
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Articles

Thermophysiology of Tyrannosaurus rex: Evidence from Oxygen Isotopes

Reese E. Barrick 1 and William J. Showers 1

1 Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8208, USA.

The oxygen isotopic composition of vertebrate bone phosphate (dgrp) is related to ingested water and to the body temperature at which the bone forms. The dgrp is in equilibrium with the individual's body water, which is at a physiological steady state throughout the body. Therefore, intrabone temperature variation and the mean interbone temperature differences of well-preserved fossil vertebrates can be determined from the dgrp variation. Values of dgrp from a well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex suggest that this species maintained homeothermy with less than 4°C of variability in body temperature. Maintenance of homeothermy implies a relatively high metabolic rate that is similar to that of endotherms.

Submitted on March 7, 1994
Accepted on May 16, 1994


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