Oryctodromeus

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Oryctodromeus

ZooTek Phoenix

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Author: Moondawg

Keywords: extinct animals, dinosaurs

Date Released: Feb 18 2009

Current OryctodromeusMD_2009.ztd dated 1 February 2009

File Size: 558.53k

Compatibility: DD and CC

Description: Oryctodromeus (meaning "digging runner") was a genus of small ornithopod dinosaur, the fossilized remains of which have been found in rocks dating from the middle Cretaceous Blackleaf Formation of southwestern Montana (Cenomanian stage),
Oryctodromeus is based on MOR 1636a, a partial skeleton of an adult individual including: the premaxillae (upper beak); part of the braincase; three neck, six back, seven hip, and twenty-three tail vertebrae; ribs; the shoulder girdle; an arm (minus the hand); both tibiae and an incomplete fibula; and a metatarsal. Two additional individuals, both juveniles about 55 to 65% the size of MOR 1636a, are represented by MOR 1636b. Unlike many other ornithopod dinosaurs, Oryctodromeus lacked bony tendons that stiffened the tail, which would have made moving about inside a small burrow easier. Additionally, it shows adaptations in the jaws, forelimbs, and pelvis that could have helped move and manipulate soil.

The authors pointed out that Oryctodromeus had only modest forelimb modifications in comparison to dedicated burrowing animals, like moles, echidnas, and wombats. Instead, it was comparable to, but somewhat more specialized for digging than animals that both run and burrow today, like aardwolves, cavies, hyenas, and rabbits. Because it was a biped, it could have a more modified forelimb without affecting its ability to run.

Under a cladistic analysis, Oryctodromeus was found to be basal within Euornithopoda and a close relative of the hypsilophodonts Orodromeus and Zephyrosaurus, which are also known from the Cretaceous of Montana. These two animals share adaptations with Oryctodromeus that may have been used for burrowing, such as a broad snout. Additionally, Orodromeus specimens have been found preserved in a similar way, suggesting that they too were in burrows. This would not be the first time that a hypsilophodont has been suggested as a burrower; Robert Bakker has informally claimed since the 1990s that Drinker, from the late Jurassic of Wyoming, lived in burrows, but this has yet to be published.

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Additional info:

OryctodromeusMD_2009.ztd                            uca: 1A9623F2 dated 1 February 2009

Results From Configuration Checking:

1a9623f2.uca date: Sun Feb 01 21:11:34 2009
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: 1A9623F2

Oryctodromeus

Oryctodromeus is based on MOR 1636a, a partial skeleton of an adult individual
including: the premaxillae (upper beak); part of the braincase; three neck,
six back, seven hip, and twenty-three tail vertebrae; ribs; the shoulder
girdle; an arm (minus the hand); both tibiae and an incomplete fibula; and a
metatarsal. Two additional individuals, both juveniles about 55 to 65% the
size of MOR 1636a, are represented by MOR 1636b. Unlike many other ornithopod
dinosaurs, Oryctodromeus lacked bony tendons that stiffened the tail, which
would have made moving about inside a small burrow easier. Additionally, it
shows adaptations in the jaws, forelimbs, and pelvis that could have helped
move and manipulate soil.
    (plus 5 other paragraphs)

Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Coniferous Forest; Location: North America; Era: Cretaceous
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 95.
Preferred shelter: Rock Cave.
Animal can jump.
Animal can climb cliffs.
Cannot be used in original Zoo Tycoon: cKeeperFoodType (8) is not 0 to 5.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Lodgepole Pine Tree, Fir Tree, Pine Tree, Yew Tree, Spruce Tree
Yellow Cedar Tree, Western Red Cedar Tree, Chinese Fir Tree, Pine Bush
Club Moss Shrub (DD), Walchian Conifer Tree (DD), Dawn Redwood Tree (DD)
Lepidodendron Tree (DD), Norfolk Island Pine Tree (DD), Sigillaria Tree (DD)

Rocks:
Large Rock, Large Rock - 1, Large Rock - 2, Large Rock - 3, Large Rock - 4
Small Rock - Medium, Small Rock - Small, Small Rock - 7, Small Rock - 8
Small Rock - 9, Coniferous Forest Rock - Formation
Medium Coniferous Rock (DD)

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 3-6 with 20 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 3 adults): 60 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
45 Coniferous Floor, 3 Dirt, 3 Fresh Water, 9 Grass

Foliage (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
4 grid squares should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Norfolk Island Pine Tree (DD)
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if each of the 4 grid squares contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
5 Small Rock - Small, which is its most liked rock.

Elevation: Of the 60 squares, 2 nonadjacent squares should be elevated.