Ecological modelling, size distributions and taphonomic size bias in dinosaur faunas: a comment on Codron et al. (2012)

Abstract

Codron et al. invoke an ecological model of size-specific competition in dinosaurs to explain an apparent bimodal distribution within Dinosauria, and find ‘intermediate-sized taxa’ (1-1000 kg) are prone to extinction. Although the authors take an interesting approach, we argue that the model is not an adequate analogue of ecological systems, ignores fundamental ecological interactions, and the raw data chosen to represent dinosaur size distribution are size-biased, not reflecting true dinosaurian faunas. Our concerns are discussed in the following sections.