1. Extinction of dinosaurs: a possible novel cause.
- Author
-
Ramadurai S, Lloyd D, Wallis M, and Wickramasinghe NC
- Subjects
- Amino Acids poisoning, Animals, Denmark, Extraterrestrial Environment, Geologic Sediments analysis, Geologic Sediments chemistry, Iridium analysis, Paleontology, Reptiles, Aminoisobutyric Acids poisoning, Biological Evolution, Environmental Exposure, Fossils, Meteoroids, Valine poisoning
- Abstract
A novel cause of mass extinction of fauna close to the (K/T) Boundary is suggested. A large amount of non-protein amino acids (AIB and ISOVAL) has been observed close to this event. It is speculated that these amino acids may be toxic and are responsible for the extinction. The toxicity level is estimated for this suggestion to be true and experimentalists are encouraged to test this level of toxicity for the amino acids.
- Published
- 1995
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