Dinosaurs

  1. The Great Extinction
    1. The Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Event
      1. Timing and Global Impact
        1. Chronological Precision
          1. Geographic Extent
            1. Magnitude Assessment
            2. Leading Theories
              1. Asteroid Impact Hypothesis
                1. Chicxulub Crater
                  1. Discovery and Dating
                    1. Size and Energy
                      1. Impact Effects
                      2. Iridium Layer
                        1. Global Distribution
                          1. Extraterrestrial Origin
                            1. Timing Evidence
                            2. Shocked Quartz
                              1. Formation Mechanism
                                1. Diagnostic Features
                                  1. Global Occurrence
                                  2. Impact Winter
                                    1. Atmospheric Effects
                                      1. Climate Disruption
                                        1. Ecological Collapse
                                      2. Volcanism
                                        1. Deccan Traps
                                          1. Eruption Scale
                                            1. Duration and Timing
                                              1. Environmental Effects
                                              2. Atmospheric Pollution
                                                1. Sulfur Compounds
                                                  1. Acid Rain
                                                    1. Greenhouse Gases
                                                    2. Ecosystem Disruption
                                                      1. Food Chain Collapse
                                                        1. Habitat Destruction
                                                          1. Ocean Acidification
                                                        2. Climate Change
                                                          1. Temperature Fluctuations
                                                            1. Sea Level Changes
                                                              1. Atmospheric Composition
                                                            2. Other Contributing Factors
                                                              1. Disease and Pathogens
                                                                1. Ecosystem Instability
                                                                  1. Competitive Pressures
                                                                2. Patterns of Extinction
                                                                  1. Which Groups Went Extinct
                                                                    1. Non-avian Dinosaurs
                                                                      1. Size Bias
                                                                        1. Ecological Roles
                                                                          1. Geographic Distribution
                                                                          2. Marine Reptiles
                                                                            1. Plesiosaurs
                                                                              1. Mosasaurs
                                                                                1. Marine Crocodiles
                                                                                2. Pterosaurs
                                                                                  1. Flight Adaptations
                                                                                    1. Size Range
                                                                                      1. Ecological Niches
                                                                                      2. Other Groups
                                                                                        1. Ammonites
                                                                                          1. Rudist Bivalves
                                                                                            1. Many Plant Species
                                                                                          2. Which Groups Survived
                                                                                            1. Birds
                                                                                              1. Small Size Advantage
                                                                                                1. Dietary Flexibility
                                                                                                  1. Flight Capabilities
                                                                                                  2. Mammals
                                                                                                    1. Small Size
                                                                                                      1. Burrowing Behavior
                                                                                                        1. Dietary Adaptability
                                                                                                        2. Crocodilians
                                                                                                          1. Aquatic Lifestyle
                                                                                                            1. Ectothermic Metabolism
                                                                                                              1. Opportunistic Feeding
                                                                                                              2. Other Survivors
                                                                                                                1. Turtles
                                                                                                                  1. Lizards and Snakes
                                                                                                                    1. Fish
                                                                                                                      1. Insects
                                                                                                                    2. Selectivity Patterns
                                                                                                                      1. Size-based Selection
                                                                                                                        1. Habitat Preferences
                                                                                                                          1. Metabolic Requirements
                                                                                                                        2. The World After Dinosaurs
                                                                                                                          1. Immediate Aftermath
                                                                                                                            1. Ecosystem Collapse
                                                                                                                              1. Recovery Phases
                                                                                                                                1. Pioneer Species
                                                                                                                                2. The Rise of Mammals
                                                                                                                                  1. Adaptive Radiation
                                                                                                                                    1. Size Increase
                                                                                                                                      1. Ecological Diversification
                                                                                                                                        1. New Niches
                                                                                                                                        2. Evolution of New Ecosystems
                                                                                                                                          1. Grassland Development
                                                                                                                                            1. Forest Recovery
                                                                                                                                              1. Marine Ecosystems
                                                                                                                                            2. Recovery of Plant Life
                                                                                                                                              1. Fern Spike
                                                                                                                                                1. Angiosperm Recovery
                                                                                                                                                  1. New Plant Communities