Monday, July 18, 2011

Meganeura.

Meganeura was a genus of huge griffinfly (a griffinfly is similar to a dragonfly, but much bigger), which lived during the Carboniferous Period. It had a wingspan of about 2-1/2 feet and probably ate animals such as other flying insects and probably some small amphibians and reptiles.

Fossils of Meganeura have been found in North America, France, and Great Britain. Meganeura means "big nerves," referring to the veins in its wings.


Meganeura was probably not very fast because of its huge size. But it probably was a successful predator because it had very large and sharp mandibles for killing its prey, and long spiny legs to grab prey and also prevent it from escaping.


Meganeura probably was able to grow so big because there were so many plants around in the Carboniferous Period that insects like Meganeura would be able to absorb enough oxygen to grow huge. The whole earth was either sea or a thick swamp forest during the Carboniferous Period, so the oxygen level would be immensely high.


9 comments:

  1. http://abcnews.go.com/Tech​nology/DyeHard/story?id=25​78773&page=1

    http://www.wired.com/wired​science/2010/11/huge-drago​nflies-oxygen/

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  2. ... also, and, as always, Aaugh!

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  3. My "word verififcation" was "buggrati," by the way. You oughtta get one when you get your driver's license, Art.

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  4. ... but I'm pretty sure griffins were generally SMALLER than dragons, so ...

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  5. I've never heard the term "griffinfly" before! It seems good to know.

    And that first picture is amazing-- you can see all the wing veins!

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  6. Can a griffinfly go slytherin?

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  7. At 1 hour 9 minutes in you can see Art capturing his 1st griffinfly:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqsu2AhuXxA

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  8. Great post! Thanks for sharing :) Wish we could clone these guys. Would love to see a real one ( though I know our atmosphere is still not oxygen rich enough for them)

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  9. how much would it weigh? Dont think youd be swatting it away

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