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Re:Paleontologists Are Trying to Understand Why the Fossil R... by 3pt14159 on Friday April 15, 2022 @06:34AM (#31038574)
Lots of possible explanations. My mind initially went to small sample size, etc, but it looks like even assuming a 50% sex ratio (which, isn't quite right for bison, there are slightly fewer males than females) the probability of this result is around 0.26%, which is possible since there are a lot of fossil researchers out there and this is the type of result that would get press over a result that came to a more expected conclusion, but still. It's less likely than I initially would have expected.

If I had to guess I would have to assume it's something in the nature of how bison die. Say from male-on-male competition far from predators that may break the bones to digest the bone marrow. Or it's possible that predators prefer preying on females because it's relatively more safe than males.

Or it could just be the small sample size, of course.

Re:Paleontologists Are Trying to Understand Why the Fossil R... by jmclnx on Friday April 15, 2022 @08:44AM (#31039556)
Well, I am about as far from an expert as a 1 year old baby.

But if I had to guess, I would say Osteoporosis, since my understanding is, that tends to hit Females worse than Males.

Re:Paleontologists Are Trying to Understand Why the Fossil R... by atx42 on Friday April 15, 2022 @10:52AM (#31040910)
Also, not an expert, but I'd think that would stop after one is dead? Although some differing (male/female) chemistry at death could come into play.
Re:Paleontologists Are Trying to Understand Why the Fossil R... by jmclnx on Friday April 15, 2022 @11:38AM (#31041430)
What I am thinking is since Female's bones could be a bit less dense, a less percentage survive as long before fossilization occurs.