Potentially Unbelievable Discovery: Did a sea monster make an artwork… out of bones?

[Architeuthoceras]

 

[octobot]

Week in science: DNA and prehistoric squid - Ars Technica

[SIZE=-2]Ars Technica[/SIZE]

Week in science: DNA and prehistoric squid [SIZE=-1]Ars Technica[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]... by changing climate: Social disturbances in preindustrial Europe have been ascribed to a variety of factors, but a new study points a finger at falling agricultural productivity driven by climate change. Week in science : DNA and prehistoric squid.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]and more[/SIZE]

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[Cuddlycuttlefsh]

It's really depressing how cephalopods grown so much smaller than they were in their prime. This may sound stupid, but i wonder if the size of the kraken's brain effected the self consciousness of seeing itself as a unique being and it's learning capabilities. This kraken is nothing compared to the colossal squid down in the southern ocean. It be so much more helpful if we had details on colossal squid before we ever study the behavior of these prehistoric ancestors.

 

[Thales]

It's really depressing how cephalopods grown so much smaller than they were in their prime. This may sound stupid, but i wonder if the size of the kraken's brain effected the self consciousness of seeing itself as a unique being and it's learning capabilities. This kraken is nothing compared to the colossal squid down in the southern ocean. It be so much more helpful if we had details on colossal squid before we ever study the behavior of these prehistoric ancestors.

Do forget that there is no evidence for this 'kraken' to have ever existed. Its a supposition based on speculations.

 

[Cuddlycuttlefsh]

.......but everything is bigger than it was during the dinosaurs
kk though now i totally agree with you

 

[DWhatley]

Lair of Ancient 'Kraken' Sea Monster Discovered - LiveScience.com

[SIZE=-2]earthtimes.org[/SIZE]

Lair of Ancient 'Kraken' Sea Monster Discovered [SIZE=-1]LiveScience.com[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]The kraken, which would've been nearly 100 feet (30 meters) long, or twice the size of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis, likely drowned or broke the necks of the ichthyosaurs before dragging the corpses to its lair, akin to an octopus's midden, ...[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Did a sea monster make an artwork… out of bones?[SIZE=-1]World Science[/SIZE][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Triassic 'Kraken' may have created self-portrait[SIZE=-1]TG Daily[/SIZE][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Giant kraken lair discovered[SIZE=-1]Science Codex[/SIZE][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]earthtimes.org[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]all 10 news articles[/SIZE]

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THE KRAKEN'S BACK: NEW EVIDENCE REGARDING POSSIBLE CEPHALOPOD ARRANGEMENT OF ICHTHYOSAUR SKELETONS
Session No. 407
T247. Tracking Life History: New Developments in Ichnological Research
Wednesday, 30 October 2013: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
MCMENAMIN, Mark A.S. and SCHULTE MCMENAMIN, Dianna L., Geology and Geography, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 01075, [email protected]

Yet another presentation arguing that the bones could not have been arranged by water. The abstract does not insist that a kraken was responsible.

Abstract
Exploration of a cenote on Lifou (Loyalty Islands, South Pacific) revealed more than 35 empty shells of the cephalopod Nautilus macromphalus in saltwater on the cenote floor, ~35-40 meters below the piezometric surface. This is the first known occurrence of modern Nautilus shells in a karstic system. The shells are scattered and oriented randomly on the sloping scree of the cenote floor. Most are mature individuals and are unbroken with faded brown stripes. Some have cemented carbonate mud partly filling the umbilical opening and body chambers. Seven shells were collected for analysis. These shells have a chalky outer surface but no mineral precipitates. No other organisms, living or dead, were observed on the Nautilus shell surfaces, attached to the limestone rubble, or anywhere in the cenote. Radiocarbon dating of the shells indicated ages of 6380 ± 30 to 7095 ± 30 y BP, making these the oldest Nautilus shells known since the Pleistocene. The 238U series radionuclides 210Pb (half-life = 22.3 y) and 226Ra (half-life = 1600 y) were also measured and generally showed radioactive equilibrium between these nuclides, consistent with their old radiocarbon ages. At least one specimen showed excess 210Pb, however, suggesting an age of

 

[Architeuthoceras]

Lair of Ancient 'Kraken' Sea Monster Discovered - LiveScience.com

[SIZE=-2]earthtimes.org[/SIZE]

Lair of Ancient 'Kraken' Sea Monster Discovered [SIZE=-1]LiveScience.com[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]The kraken, which would've been nearly 100 feet (30 meters) long, or twice the size of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis, likely drowned or broke the necks of the ichthyosaurs before dragging the corpses to its lair, akin to an octopus's midden, ...[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Did a sea monster make an artwork… out of bones?[SIZE=-1]World Science[/SIZE][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Triassic 'Kraken' may have created self-portrait[SIZE=-1]TG Daily[/SIZE][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Giant kraken lair discovered[SIZE=-1]Science Codex[/SIZE][/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]earthtimes.org[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]all 10 news articles[/SIZE]

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THE KRAKEN'S BACK: NEW EVIDENCE REGARDING POSSIBLE CEPHALOPOD ARRANGEMENT OF ICHTHYOSAUR SKELETONS
Abstract: THE KRAKEN'S BACK: NEW EVIDENCE REGARDING POSSIBLE CEPHALOPOD ARRANGEMENT OF ICHTHYOSAUR SKELETONS (2013 GSA Annual Meeting in Denver: 125th Anniversary of GSA (27-30 October 2013))


MCMENAMIN, Mark A.S. and SCHULTE MCMENAMIN, Dianna L., Geology and Geography, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 01075, [email protected]
In 2011, we hypothesized that extremely large Triassic cephalopods may be responsible for certain anomalous aspects of an unusual assemblage of giant ichthyosaur skeletons in the Luning Formation of Nevada. The hypothesis has been criticized by researchers who do not accept the ichnological evidence suggesting that the skeletons were deliberately arranged rather than being deposited by currents.
Hydrodynamic considerations regarding the probability of displacement (PD) of ichthyosaur vertebral centra arrays (n=12) show that three different biserial arrangements have PDs of 17%, 89% and 100% respectively by currents strong enough to displace a single centra. The critical Specimen U array at Berlin‑Ichthyosaur State Park has PD=~100, indicating that it is highly unlikely that the biserial pattern was imparted by submarine currents. The unwinnowed wackestone matrix confirms that competent water velocities did not frequently occur in this deep-water depositional environment. The Luning Formation also hosts Protopaleodictyon ichnosp. and supergiant amphipods.
We recently obtained photographs of a retired exhibit formerly on display at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Museum of Natural History. The display reconstructed a well‑preserved Shonisaurus skeleton as it was found in the field. The exhibit is well documented by photographs from a variety of vantage points. The skeleton appears to have been partly disassembled during the Triassic, and a biserial array of centra very similar to the Specimen U array occurs adjacent to the nearly complete skeleton. The UNLV array has a PD=~100, again indicating that the biserial pattern was not the result of current assembly. Finally, at least three of these centra show what may be triangular bite marks removed from their margins.

Session No. 407
T247. Tracking Life History: New Developments in Ichnological Research
Wednesday, 30 October 2013: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Colorado Convention Center Mile High Ballroom 1CD
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 45, No. 7, p.0