Which RAPTOR is Actually in Jurassic Park? (Hint: IT'S NOT VELOCIRAPTOR)

Clint's Reptiles
14 May 202220:44
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script provides an in-depth exploration of the maniraptoran dinosaurs, a fascinating group of theropods closely related to modern birds. It discusses the misconceptions surrounding the portrayal of 'velociraptors' in the Jurassic Park franchise, explaining that the actual species featured was likely Deinonychus, known for its large, curved claws. The video delves into various subgroups of maniraptorans, including Therizinosauria, Alvarezsauria, Oviraptorosauria, and the true dromeosaurids, highlighting their unique characteristics and the evolutionary links to avialans, the group encompassing modern birds. The script also touches on the debate over the classification of these dinosaurs and the scientific community's evolving understanding of their biology and behavior.

Takeaways
  • 🦖 Dinosaurs are a distinct lineage of reptiles, with crocodilians being their closest relatives among living reptiles.
  • 🦕 Theropod dinosaurs, including the maniraptorans, are known for their bipedal locomotion and large, dexterous forelimbs.
  • 🐾 Maniraptorans are characterized by a unique skeletal structure, including a pubic bone that curves backward and an air-filled vertebrae.
  • 🦋 The Alvarezsauria group is known for its small size and fused wrist and hand bones, likely used for digging rather than flying.
  • 🥚 Oviraptorosauria had short, beaked faces and are thought to have fed on a variety of food sources, though their exact diet remains a mystery.
  • 🐓 The Aves clade includes modern birds and is most closely related to the Dromaeosauridae, which includes the famous Velociraptor.
  • 🌐 Dromaeosaurids, like Velociraptor, were likely feathered and had a sickle-shaped claw on their second toe, used for hunting.
  • 🔍 The name 'Velociraptor' was mistakenly given to a larger species, Deinonychus, in the Jurassic Park movies due to a paleo-artist's classification.
  • 🧠 Troodontids, relatives of Dromaeosaurids, had large brains relative to their size and may have had even better binocular vision.
  • 🌱 Therizinosauria were likely herbivores with large, sickle-like claws on their hands, possibly used for stripping leaves from trees.
  • 👍 The success of the Jurassic Park franchise was partly due to careful research and consultation with paleontologists to depict dinosaurs as accurately as possible.
Q & A
  • What is the significance of the movie 'Jurassic Park' in the narrator's life?

    -The movie 'Jurassic Park' was a significant event in the narrator's life as it introduced them to the velociraptor, a dinosaur that became one of their absolute favorites, and further fueled their passion for dinosaurs.

  • What is the correct term for the group of dinosaurs that includes the velociraptor and the one depicted in the 'Jurassic Park' movies?

    -The correct term for the group of dinosaurs that includes the velociraptor and the one depicted in the 'Jurassic Park' movies is Maniraptora.

  • What is a common misconception about dinosaurs?

    -A common misconception is that all ancient reptiles were dinosaurs. In reality, many ancient lineages of reptiles coexisted with dinosaurs, and some are still alive today, such as turtles, crocodilians, and lizards.

  • How are dinosaurs related to crocodilians?

    -Dinosaurs are more closely related to crocodilians than crocodilians are to any other group of extant reptiles. Both dinosaurs and crocodilians are part of the Archosaurian clade of diapsid reptiles.

  • What is unique about the forelimbs of maniraptoran dinosaurs?

    -Maniraptoran dinosaurs have very large and dexterous forelimbs, with the name Maniraptora meaning 'hand thief' or 'hand plunderer.' They typically have three fingers, a large bony sternum, and half-moon shaped bones in their wrists.

  • Which group of dinosaurs is most closely related to birds?

    -The group of dinosaurs most closely related to birds is the Paraves, which includes modern birds as well as other dinosaurs that share a close relationship with the avialans.

  • What is the significance of the term 'Therizinosauria'?

    -Therizinosauria is a group of dinosaurs named after the genus Therizinosaurus, which means 'reaper' or 'sickle lizard.' This name is derived from the intimidating, sickle-like claws on their front limbs, which were likely used for stripping leaves from trees.

  • What is the role of the Patreon supporters in the creation of the video content?

    -Patreon supporters play a crucial role by providing financial support that allows the creators to research, produce, and experiment with content like the video about maniraptoran dinosaurs.

  • Why were the dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park' not accurately named velociraptors?

    -The dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park' were not accurately named velociraptors because paleo-artist Gregory S. Paul suggested that the Mongolian velociraptor and the North American Deinonychus were similar enough to be classified in the same genus, with the earlier known genus being 'Velociraptor.' This influenced Michael Crichton's depiction in the book, but the scientific community did not widely accept this classification.

  • What is the significance of the Deinonychus in the 'Jurassic Park' franchise?

    -Deinonychus is significant because it was the dinosaur species that the 'Jurassic Park' velociraptors were based on, despite being incorrectly named. It had the right size, head shape, and was found in the correct geographic location to match the depiction in the movie.

  • What are the key characteristics of Dromaeosaurids?

    -Dromaeosaurids, or running lizards, are characterized by being bipedal, having large sickle-shaped claws on their inner toe, and likely being heavily feathered. Some species, like Microraptor, may have been capable of powered flight, and they generally had forward-pointing eyes for better binocular vision and depth perception.

Outlines
00:00
🦖 Introduction to Maniraptoran Dinosaurs

The video begins with an introduction to dinosaurs, highlighting the velociraptor as a favorite. It clarifies that not all ancient reptiles were dinosaurs and distinguishes dinosaurs as a unique reptilian lineage. The theropod clade, which includes maniraptoran dinosaurs like the velociraptor, is discussed, along with their physical characteristics such as large forelimbs and a bony sternum. The video also corrects the misconception that velociraptors were featured in the Jurassic Park movies, and thanks patrons for their support.

05:01
🦕 Exploring Maniraptoran Clades

This paragraph delves into various clades of maniraptoran dinosaurs, including Therizinosauria, known for their sickle-like claws, and Alvarezsauria, which are small and had fused wrist bones. Oviraptorosauria are described as having beaked faces and are speculated to have fed on insects. The paragraph also discusses the group most closely related to birds, the Paraves, which includes the famous velociraptor and its portrayal in Jurassic Park. The narrative touches on the hunting methods and physical adaptations of these dinosaurs.

10:01
🦜 The True Nature of 'Velociraptors'

The script clarifies the confusion surrounding the velociraptor's portrayal in Jurassic Park, explaining that the actual species depicted was Deinonychus, not a velociraptor. It details the physical attributes of Deinonychus, including its size, head shape, and the formidable claw on its foot. The video also discusses the scientific debate over the classification of these dinosaurs, particularly the influence of Gregory S. Paul's work on the Jurassic Park franchise.

15:03
🐦 The Avialae Clade and Modern Birds

The final paragraph focuses on the Avialae clade, which includes modern birds and other dinosaurs more closely related to birds than to Deinonychus. It mentions Archaeopteryx and the Enantiornithes, a group of birds with a convergence on the bird body form. The paragraph emphasizes the evolutionary success of this group, which survived the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period. It concludes with a prompt for viewers to decide which group of dinosaurs should be covered next.

20:03
🎬 A Reflective Conclusion and Humorous Aside

The video concludes with a humorous speculation about the intelligence of dinosaurs, suggesting they might have been capable of space travel and the use of asteroids as weapons. It playfully challenges the viewer to imagine such a scenario, ending on a light-hearted note that invites further engagement and speculation from the audience.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are a distinct lineage of reptiles that lived millions of years ago and are characterized by their unique skeletal structure, including a specific pelvic morphology with hind limbs directly under their body. In the video, dinosaurs are the central theme, with a focus on the subgroup known as maniraptoran dinosaurs, which includes some of the most fascinating species like the velociraptor and its close relatives.
💡Maniraptora
Maniraptora is a group of theropod dinosaurs characterized by their large and dextrous forelimbs, which the name suggests are adept at 'plundering' or 'stealing'. They are closely related to modern birds and include species like the velociraptor. The video discusses the unique features of maniraptorans and their evolutionary significance.
💡Velociraptor
Velociraptor is a species of dinosaur that has become famous partly due to its portrayal in the Jurassic Park movies. Despite misconceptions from the films, the real velociraptor was a formidable creature with a distinct skull structure and sickle-shaped claws. The video corrects common myths about velociraptors and delves into their actual characteristics.
💡Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is a movie that has significantly influenced popular culture's understanding of dinosaurs. The video references the movie to highlight inaccuracies in the portrayal of velociraptors and to discuss the impact of the film on public interest in dinosaurs. It also uses the movie as a springboard to introduce the actual scientific分类 of dinosaurs.
💡Therizinosauria
Therizinosauria is a clade of maniraptoran dinosaurs known for their large, sickle-like claws on their forelimbs. Despite their intimidating appearance, they were likely herbivores using their claws to strip leaves from trees. The video describes the unique physical traits of therizinosaurs and their role within the maniraptoran group.
💡Oviraptorosauria
Oviraptorosauria is a group of maniraptoran dinosaurs that have been a subject of debate regarding their diet, ranging from carnivory to herbivory. They are characterized by their short, beaked faces and are often partially feathered. The video mentions oviraptorosaurs as an example of the diversity within maniraptorans and their enigmatic feeding habits.
💡Dromaeosaurids
Dromaeosaurids, also known as 'racing lizards', are a subgroup of maniraptoran dinosaurs that include the velociraptor. They are characterized by their bipedal stance, large sickle-shaped claws on their feet, and likely feather covering. The video discusses the features of dromaeosaurids and their depiction in Jurassic Park.
💡Deinonychus
Deinonychus, often confused with velociraptors due to a classification debate, is a dromaeosaurid dinosaur known for its large size and fearsome claws. The video clarifies the differences between Deinonychus and velociraptors, and how the former was more accurately portrayed in Jurassic Park than the latter.
💡Avialae
Avialae is a clade that includes all dinosaurs more closely related to modern birds than to Deinonychus. This group is significant as it represents the only surviving lineage of dinosaurs, with modern birds being members of this group. The video highlights the evolutionary link between avialans and birds, emphasizing the continuity of this lineage.
💡Archosaurian Clade
The Archosaurian clade is a broader group of diapsid reptiles that includes both dinosaurs and crocodilians. It is mentioned in the video to illustrate the evolutionary relationship between these two groups and their shared ancestry within the larger reptiles group. The archosaurian clade provides a broader context for understanding the diversity of reptiles during the time of the dinosaurs.
💡Feathers
Feathers are a characteristic feature of many maniraptoran dinosaurs, including dromaeosaurids and avialans, which are believed to have been feathered. The video discusses the presence of feathers in these dinosaurs and how this feature challenges traditional perceptions of what dinosaurs looked like. Feathers are also a key link between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Highlights

Dinosaurs are considered some of the coolest creatures to have lived on Earth, with Jurassic Park sparking widespread interest in them.

The movie Jurassic Park introduced the Velociraptor, which became one of the favorite dinosaurs for many, despite it not being featured in the film.

Maniraptoran dinosaurs, including the Velociraptor, are known for their large and dexterous forelimbs, with the name meaning 'hand thief' or 'hand plunderer'.

Maniraptorans are part of the Theropod clade, which includes iconic dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Maniraptorans are unique among dinosaurs for having a keeled sternum and wrist bones similar to birds, indicating a close evolutionary relationship with avialans.

Therizinosauria, named for their sickle-like claws, were likely herbivores and ranged in size from seven feet to over 30 feet.

Alvarezsaurids are small to medium-sized dinosaurs with fused wrist and hand bones, possibly used for digging rather than flying.

Oviraptorosauria had short, beaked faces and are thought to have fed on a variety of food sources, though their exact diet remains a mystery.

The group Parves, closely related to birds, includes the Velociraptor and other similar dinosaurs, many of which were carnivorous.

Scansoriopterygidae, known as 'climbing wings,' were the first in their group to show adaptations for an arboreal and somewhat flighted lifestyle.

Dromaeosaurids, including the Velociraptor, were bipedal with large sickle-shaped claws and likely had better binocular vision than most dinosaurs.

Troodontids, relatives of Dromaeosaurids, were lightly built with closely spaced teeth, suggesting they preyed on smaller animals.

Avialae, or 'bird wing,' includes modern birds and is the only surviving dinosaur lineage, with some members likely capable of powered flight.

The name 'Velociraptor' was mistakenly applied to a different dinosaur, Deinonychus, in the Jurassic Park series due to a paleoartist's classification.

Despite being depicted as featherless in Jurassic Park, recent findings suggest that many theropods, including Velociraptors, were likely feathered.

The scientific accuracy of the Deinonychus in Jurassic Park was carefully considered, even consulting with experts on their physical capabilities.

Dromaeosaurids were widespread, found on every continent except Australia, with teeth evidence suggesting a global distribution.

Transcripts
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