Extinction of dinosaurs: a possible novel cause

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Biochemistry
• Geology

Background:

• The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/T) Boundary marks a significant mass extinction event in Earth's history.
• Previous research has focused on asteroid impacts and volcanic activity as primary causes.
• Unexplained faunal losses near this boundary warrant further investigation into alternative extinction drivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel hypothesis for the K/T Boundary mass extinction.
• To investigate the potential role of non-protein amino acids in this extinction event.
• To encourage experimental validation of the proposed toxicity mechanism.

Main Methods:

• Observation of elevated levels of non-protein amino acids, specifically alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and isovaline (ISOVAL), in geological strata near the K/T Boundary.
• Estimation of the potential toxicity of these amino acids based on their chemical properties and known biological effects.
• Formulation of a hypothesis linking amino acid toxicity to faunal extinction.

Main Results:

• Significant concentrations of AIB and ISOVAL were detected in geological samples associated with the K/T Boundary.
• Preliminary estimations suggest that these non-protein amino acids possess a level of toxicity potentially capable of causing widespread faunal mortality.
• A correlation is proposed between the presence of these toxic compounds and the observed mass extinction.

Conclusions:

• Non-protein amino acids, AIB and ISOVAL, represent a plausible novel cause for the K/T Boundary mass extinction.
• The observed toxicity of these compounds warrants further investigation.
• Experimental studies are crucial to confirm the direct role of these amino acids in the extinction event.