What did the existence of dramatic, localized specialization in *Amargasaurus* suggest about sauropod evolution during the Cretaceous?
Answer
Evolution favored specialization rather than only maximizing overall size
Its existence demonstrates that even within the generally successful sauropod blueprint, evolution favored dramatic, localized specialization rather than just maximizing overall size throughout the Cretaceous period.
Related Questions
During which geological period did *Amargasaurus* roam South America?What physical characteristic most distinguished *Amargasaurus* from its giant sauropod cousins?Approximately how long was the estimated total length of an *Amargasaurus*?To which specific family of sauropods did *Amargasaurus* belong?What dietary adaptation is suggested by the spatulate teeth morphology of *Amargasaurus*?Where were the neural spines of *Amargasaurus* noted to be the tallest?Which hypothesis regarding the function of the tall spines emphasizes intraspecies communication?In which geological formation in Argentina was *Amargasaurus cazaui* initially discovered?How did the relatively small size of *Amargasaurus* benefit its ecological niche compared to contemporaneous titanosaurs?What is the characteristic appearance of the neural spines projecting from the vertebrae?What did the existence of dramatic, localized specialization in *Amargasaurus* suggest about sauropod evolution during the Cretaceous?