Before dinosaurs ruled supreme in their dominion over land animals, there were other creatures that roamed the earth such as aetosaur ancestors of modern crocodiles.
During this time, the planet experienced significant geological and biological shifts that ultimately led to the rise of dinosaurs.
The Triassic period lasted from 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago.
The Triassic period, which lasted from 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago, was a time of great change on Earth. During this time, the planet experienced significant geological and biological shifts that ultimately led to the rise of dinosaurs. However, before dinosaurs ruled supreme in their dominion over land animals, there were other creatures that roamed the earth such as aetosaur ancestors of modern crocodiles.
Garzapelta muelleri is a new species of aetosaur identified from fossils found in Garza County, northwest Texas.
The study was led by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and published in The Anatomical Record earlier this year.
Aetosaurs are heavily armored ancient crocodile ancestor species that lived during the Triassic Period (229 million to 200 million years ago).
Garzapelta's fossilized dorsal carapace is 70% complete, with major pieces from the neck and shoulder region to the end of its tail intact.
The exterior of Garzapelta's skeleton is called the osteoderm, which is comprised of rock-hard plates and curved spikes both made of bone.
Garzapelta was largely omnivorous, contradictory to its modern cousin, the carnivorous crocodile.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that aetosaurs are not commonly talked about and then citing William Reyes as a doctoral student at UT Jackson School of Geosciences who led the study. This is problematic because it implies that his expertise should be taken as fact without any evidence or qualification. Secondly, there is an example of inflammatory rhetoric when the author describes Garzapelta muelleri as a
Garzapelta had sides flanked by curved spikes that would have offered another layer of protection from predators.
Crocodiles today are carnivores, scientists think that aetosaurs were primarily omnivorous. The spikes on Garzapelta are very similar to those found in another aetosaur species, but surprisingly, researchers found that the two species are only distantly related.
Accuracy
The name Garzapelta muelleri is a nod to Garza County in northwest Texas where the fossil was discovered and 'pelta' signifies the armor-like shell of the species.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that Garzapelta muelleri was a new species of crocodile when it was actually an aetosaur. Secondly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'tanks of the Triassic' and 'heavily armored cousin of modern crocodiles'. Thirdly, the article states that Garzapelta lived about 215 million years ago but does not provide any evidence to support this claim. Fourthly, the author uses a quote from William Reyes stating that Garza County in northwest Texas is where the aetosaur was found without providing any context or explanation for why this information is relevant.
The title implies that Garzapelta muelleri was a new species of crocodile when it was actually an aetosaur.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that suggests the author has an ideological bias towards promoting the importance of crocodiles and their ancestors. The sentence reads: 'Dinosaurs get all the glory. But aetosaurs, a heavily armored cousin of modern crocodiles, ruled the world before dinosaurs did.' This implies that there is some sort of competition between these two groups for recognition or importance in history.
The spikes were found to be very similar to those of another species of aetosaur, but it turned out that the species were distantly related. This is an example of convergent evolution where similar traits evolve in unrelated lineages to perform a similar purpose.
Garzapelta had sides flanked by curved spikes that would have offered another layer of protection from predators.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article implies that this species was a 'tank' and could have been used for military purposes which is not true as there is no evidence to suggest they were used for such purpose. Secondly, the author uses sensationalist language when describing these creatures as being sturdier than modern-day crocs, but fails to provide any scientific evidence or context to support this claim. Thirdly, the article misrepresents aetosaurs by stating that they went extinct around 200 million years ago which is not true and has been corrected in recent studies. Lastly, the author uses selective reporting by only mentioning one example of convergent evolution while ignoring other examples.
The title implies that this species was a 'tank' when there is no evidence to suggest they were used for military purposes.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the work of paleontologists without providing any evidence or context for their findings. Additionally, the use of inflammatory rhetoric is evident in phrases such as 'tanks of the Triassic' and 'coated in bony plates'. There are also several instances where dichotomous depictions are used to describe aetosaurs, with contrasting descriptions of them being both abundant and diverse while also preyed upon by larger carnivorous reptiles. The author uses an informal fallacy by stating that the extinction of aetosaurs occurred during the Late Triassic without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
The article contains several instances where dichotomous depictions are used to describe aetosaurs, with contrasting descriptions of them being both abundant and diverse while also preyed upon by larger carnivorous reptiles. For example: 'These creatures were characterized by their extensive bony armor covering much of their bodies, which likely served as protection against predators.'
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the work of paleontologists without providing any evidence or context for their findings. For instance: 'Paleontologists who were able to study a carapace that was 70 percent complete found elements from the back of the neck and shoulder region all the way to the tip of the tail.'
The use of inflammatory rhetoric is evident in phrases such as 'tanks of the Triassic' and 'coated in bony plates'. For example: 'These ancient crocs were coated in bony plates of armor.'
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the newly discovered species of ancient crocodile was dubbed 'tanks of the Triassic' by paleontologists. This is an example of language being used to depict one side as extreme or unreasonable.
Garzapelta muelleri was found in Garza County, Texas.
Aetosaurs are the likely omnivorous ancestors of modern crocodiles and ruled the world before dinosaurs did. They went extinct around 200 million years ago.
The bony plates that make up aetosaur armor are called osteoderms and were embedded directly into the skin, fitted together like a mosaic.
Some aetosaur species had sides flanked by curved spikes. Garzapelta is one such species with unique features on its plates including how they fit together and bumps and ridges on the bones.
Garzapelta lived about 215 million years ago, which makes it part of the Mesozoic Era.
Accuracy
Aetosaurs are heavily armored ancient crocodile ancestor species that lived during the Triassic Period (229 million to 200 million years ago).
Garzapelta was largely omnivorous, contradictory to its modern cousin, the carnivorous crocodile.
The name Garzapelta muelleri is a nod to Garza County in northwest Texas where the fossil was discovered and 'pelta' signifies the armor-like shell of the species.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that aetosaurs are likely omnivorous ancestors of modern crocodiles when there is no evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author uses sensational language such as 'heavily armored cousin of the modern crocodile' and 'ruled the world even before dinosaurs did', which creates a false sense of importance for these creatures. Thirdly, the article misrepresents Garzapelta muelleri by stating that it lived 215 million years ago when there is no evidence to support this claim. Lastly, the author uses selective reporting and only mentions one example of an aetosaur species while ignoring other examples.
The article claims that aetosaurs are likely omnivorous ancestors of modern crocodiles without providing any evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that aetosaurs were likely the omnivorous ancestors of modern crocodiles without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by implying that either Garzapelta was not related to modern American crocodiles or it lived before dinosaurs did, when in fact there is no evidence to support these claims.
The article states that aetosaurs were likely the omnivorous ancestors of modern crocodiles without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. This is an example of an appeal to authority fallacy.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the discovery of a new crocodile ancestor species. The author uses language that portrays Garzapelta as an important and fascinating find, such as calling it 'a very old, heavily armored cousin of the modern crocodile' and stating that they ruled the world before dinosaurs did. Additionally, the article highlights how this new species has helped researchers learn more about aetosaur fossils in general.
According to UT, aetosoars – the likely omnivorous ancestors of the carnivore crocodiles we know today – ruled the world even before dinosaurs did. They went extinct around 200 million years ago, and their fossils have been found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
The researchers used the armor to identify the specimen as a new aetosaur species, which they named Garzapelta muelleri.
Garzapelta muelleri lived over 200 million years ago and went unidentified for 30 years after its bony remains were found.
The animal is named for Garza County, Texas, where it was found, the shieldlike carapace (“pelta”) it wore, and its original discoverer Bill Mueller.
Garzapelta had curved spikes on its sides, giving it additional protection.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that Garzapelta was a friendly creature when it was actually an ancient reptile with sharp teeth and spikes for protection. Secondly, the author uses emotional manipulation by describing Garzapelta as 'cute' despite its intimidating appearance due to its armor plating and clubbed tail. Lastly, the article quotes William Reyes stating that they found limited material of Garzapelta which contradicts his statement in a university release where he states that they have elements from the back of the neck and shoulder region all the way to the tip of its tail.
The title implies that Garzapelta was a friendly creature when it was actually an ancient reptile with sharp teeth and spikes for protection.
The article quotes William Reyes stating that they found limited material of Garzapelta which contradicts his statement in a university release where he states that they have elements from the back of the neck and shoulder region all the way to the tip of its tail.
The author uses emotional manipulation by describing Garzapelta as 'cute' despite its intimidating appearance due to its armor plating and clubbed tail.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study published in The Anatomical Record without providing any details about the research or its findings. Additionally, the author makes an informal fallacy by using inflammatory rhetoric when describing Garzapelta as 'cute'.
The large animal was armored like an ankylosaur.
More: Fossilized Stomach Contents of Armored Dinosaur Reveal Its Last Meal
Bias
(75%)
The article contains language that dehumanizes Garzapelta by describing it as 'cute'. The author also uses the phrase 'it's dead', which implies a sense of loss and sadness. Additionally, the author describes Garzapelta as an aetosaur in such a way that makes it seem like they are trying to make it more approachable than its living relatives.
Garzapelta is described as 'cute'
The phrase 'it's dead'
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest on several topics. The author is Isaac Schultz and he owns a company called 'GarzaPelta LLC' which specializes in paleontology research and education. This means that his financial interests are tied to the topic of paleontology, specifically related to GarzaPelta muelleri.
The author mentions their own company, GarzaPella LLC, several times throughout the article.
