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Updated September 26th, 2020 at 19:49 IST

Mass extinction due to global warming triggered the rise of dinosaurs and modern tetrapods

A recently published research has found that a massive explosion hit the earth millions of years ago, and triggered the rise of dinosaurs on Earth.

Reported by: Riya Baibhawi
Mass extinction due to warming paved way for dinosaurs and modern tetrapods
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A recently published research has found that a massive explosion had hit the earth millions of years ago, triggering the rise of dinosaurs on planet earth. It was found that huge volcanic eruptions triggered another level of mass extinction of tetrapods and herbivores. The eruptions, known as ‘Carnian Pluvian Episode’  happened 233 million years ago and pumped carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapours which eventually heated the planet to unbearable levels.

The research which was published in the Science Magazine revealed that it was this mass extinction event that killed many tetrapods and heralded the dawn of dinosaurs on the planet.  The CPE killed as many species as the giant asteroid did many years ago.

Read:  New Species Of Dinosaur Related To Tyrannosaurus Rex Discovered On The Isle Of Wight

Read: Armoured Dinosaur 'Scelidosaurus' Finally Gets Recognised And A Place On 'family Tree'

Gave foothold to modern Tetrapods

According to the study, ecosystems were destroyed and oceans and the planet got warmer and drier. Annihilation of plants and herbivores, and declining numbers of plant-eating tetrapods triggered the age of dinosaurs, which stretched for 165 million years.   In addition, to dinosaurs, the event also gives a foothold of modern tetrapod groups, such as turtles, lizards, crocodiles and mammals date back to this newly discovered time of revolution.

Read: Armoured Dinosaur 'Scelidosaurus' Finally Gets Recognised And A Place On 'family Tree'

Read: Evidence: Species That Roamed With Dinosaur Survived Mass Extinction Due To 'hibernation'

Meanwhile, a separate study found that the Lystrosaurus species that roamed with dinosaurs went into hibernation and survived Earth’s largest mass extinction that wiped out 70 per cent of species on Earth. According to a study published in the journal Nature, scientists at the University of Washington found that Lystrosaurus somehow survived for another 5 million years into subsequent Triassic Period on the continent, Pangea, present day Antarctica. The four-legged foragers helped scientists understand the phenomenon and history of hibernation of species in polar regions that get through tough conditions like food scarcity, temperatures fall, and dark environment and still survive. 

Representative Image, credits: Pixabey

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Published September 26th, 2020 at 19:49 IST

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