What are theropods?
Q: What are theropods?
A: Theropods are a group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs.
Q: What was the primary diet of theropods?
A: The primary diet of theropods was carnivorous.
Q: Did some theropod groups evolve to eat plants and insects?
A: Yes, some theropod groups evolved herbivory, omnivory, and insectivory.
Q: How many living species are theropods represented by today?
A: Theropods are represented by 10,000 living species of birds today.
Q: From which dinosaur group did birds evolve?
A: Birds evolved from small feathered coelurosaurian theropods during the Upper Jurassic period.
Q: What are some features that link theropods to birds?
A: Features that link theropods to birds are bipedalism, the three-toed foot, a furcula (wishbone), air-filled bones, feathers, and brooding of the eggs.
Q: What is the function of the furcula (wishbone) in both theropods and birds?
A: The furcula, or wishbone, is thought to have played a role in flight biomechanics, providing additional support for the pectoral muscles involved in wing movement, and also protecting the thoracic vertebrae.
