Prehistoric crocs 'ran like dogs'

Prehistoric crocodiles survived a dinosaur-dominated world by behaving like dogs, research found. Source: AAP

PREHISTORIC crocodiles survived a dinosaur-dominated world by running around like dogs, new research has found.

Unlike today's crocodiles that mostly live in freshwater habitats and feed on mammals and fish, their ancient relatives were extremely diverse.

Some behaved like dogs and others adapted to life in the open ocean, imitating the feeding behaviour of today's killer whales.

The research uncovers the hidden past of crocodiles - showing for the first time how the jaws of the fierce reptiles evolved, enabling them to survive in vastly different environments in a dinosaur-dominated world 235 to 65 million years ago.

The study was conducted by Tom Stubbs and Dr Emily Rayfield from the University of Bristol, together with Dr Stephanie Pierce from The Royal Veterinary College and Dr Phil Anderson from Duke University in the United States.

Mr Stubbs says the ancestors of today's crocodiles have a fascinating history that is relatively unknown compared to their dinosaur counterparts.

"They were very different creatures to the ones we are familiar with today, much more diverse and, as this research shows, their ability to adapt was quite remarkable," he said.

"Their evolution and anatomical variation during the Mesozoic Era was exceptional.

"They evolved lifestyles and feeding ecologies unlike anything seen today."

The research team examined variation in the morphology (shape) and biomechanics (function) of the lower jaws in over 100 ancient crocodiles, using a unique combination of numerical methods.

Dr Pierce said they were curious how extinction events and adaptations to extreme environments during the Mesozoic - a period covering over 170 million years - impacted the feeding systems of ancient crocodiles.

"To do this we focused our efforts on the main food-processing bone, the lower jaw."

By analysing variation in the lower jaw, the researchers provide novel insights into how the feeding systems of ancient crocodiles evolved as the group recovered from the devastating end-Triassic extinction event and subsequently responded to the distribution of ecological resources, such as habitat and foodstuff.

The research showed that, following the end-Triassic extinction, ancient crocodiles invaded the Jurassic seas and evolved jaws built primarily for hydrodynamic efficiency to capture agile prey, such as fish.

However, only a small range of elongate lower jaw shapes were suitable in Jurassic marine environments.

The study also revealed that variation peaked again in the Cretaceous, where ancient crocodiles evolved a great variety of lower jaw shapes as they adapted to a diverse range of feeding ecologies and terrestrial environments alongside the dinosaurs.

Surprisingly, the lower jaws of Cretaceous crocodiles did not have a great amount of biomechanical variation and, instead, the fossil record points towards novel adaptations in other areas of their anatomy, such as armadillo-like body armour.

"Our results show that the ability to exploit a variety of different food resources and habitats, by evolving many different jaw shapes, was crucial to recovering from the end-Triassic extinction and most likely contributed to the success of Mesozoic crocodiles living in the shadow of the dinosaurs," Dr Pierce said.

This exceptional variation has never before been explored numerically, with no studies ever having incorporated such a wide range of crocodiles over such a long time period.

The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

The research was partially funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

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Would-be senator considers buying suit

UNEMPLOYED father of five Ricky Muir admits he doesn't own a suit.

But he understands he'll have to be measured up if forecasts are correct and he lands a federal Senate seat.

The Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party's (AMEP) lead Senate candidate in Victoria could be bound for Canberra thanks to a complex system of preference flows, which may hand him the state's sixth upper house pass.

"I've got some nice clothing but I have not got a suit yet, but I will get one," Mr Muir told ABC TV from his rural home at Denison in Victoria's Gippsland on Wednesday.

Asked of his preference for a carbon tax or emissions trading scheme, the potential balance of power senator said the party "would speak about that further if elected".

"We want to bring balance to the Senate," he said.

"We're working on a road safety platform, so we want uniform road laws, safer roads and driver education."

When faced with legislation, Mr Muir said he would consider all the evidence and "try to make a decision that reflects on the everyday Australian".

"If there's a better way to do things, we certainly need to look at it."

Mr Muir lost his job when a local saw mill closed, and said he and his family have since been living off savings.

Despite facing an annual Senate pay packet in excess of $190,000, the novice candidate said "I'm not out for the money".

Mr Muir's social media trail includes footage apparently showing him flinging kangaroo poo at a mate, plus a Facebook post in which he seems to suggest former US president George W Bush was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks.

On Wednesday night the AMEP had 12,444 votes, representing 0.50 per cent of the Victorian ballots counted to date.

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China's Li says economic recovery fragile

China's premier has promised to improve the investment climate for foreign companies. Source: AAP

CHINA'S premier says the basis of its economic recovery is still fragile and has promised to improve the investment climate for foreign companies.

Speaking at a business forum in the city of Dalian, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China's economic fundamentals are stable but cautioned the global economy faced a "complex situation".

China's factory output and other activity improved in August after growth fell to a two-decade low of 7.5 per cent in the latest quarter. Analysts warn, however, that the rebound is underpinned by government spending and might not last.

Li also promised to press ahead with reforms aimed at making the economy more productive by opening markets wider to private and foreign competitors.

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Senior Lib 1449 votes behind in Indi

Electoral officials found more than a thousand votes favouring the challenger to Sophie Mirabella. Source: AAP

INDEPENDENT Cathy McGowan is now nearly 1500 votes ahead in the battle for the seat of Indi after election officials added a missing 1000 votes to her tally.

Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella had been gaining on Ms McGowan as postal votes were counted, but on Wednesday officials realised there had been a discrepancy between the number of people who voted in the Senate and House of Representatives.

They found a bundle of 1003 votes from a Wangaratta prepoll centre which had not been included in Ms McGowan's tally.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) officially added the votes to Ms McGowan's total late on Wednesday, giving her a lead of 1449 votes.

Ms McGowan, who has run a grassroots campaign backed by more than 600 volunteers, was delighted.

"Isn't it amazing," she told AAP.

"You wouldn't want it to be the other way, would you? It would be shocking."

An AEC spokesman said the error was discovered as part of a number of checks and balances during counting.

A spokesman for Ms Mirabella would not comment, instead directing calls to Liberal Party headquarters.

State director Damien Mantach said there was no doubt the votes had given Ms McGowan a clear advantage.

"Despite this turn of events, we're hopeful of making up ground with the thousands of votes that are still to be counted," he said in a statement.

Indi, which is in Victoria's northeast and includes the towns of Wodonga, Wangaratta and Benalla was considered a fairly safe Liberal seat before the election and has been held by conservative parties since 1931.

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NSW dog trainer running rescue missions

IT'S definitely a dog's day in Sydney.

As firefighters battle bushfires raging across the city's northwest, dog trainer Farmer Dave is running rescue missions for pooches whose homes have been threatened.

"All up there's going to be about 40," he tells AAP as he ferries another load of dogs to the makeshift rescue centre at the Australian Canine Sports and Training Centre at Box Hill.

Warm winds gusting at up to 80km/h are fanning fires that are threatening a significant part of Sydney's northwest.

The fires have destroyed two houses, injured several fire fighters and forced the evacuation of more than 2000 people from a University of Western Sydney campus.

About 300 students were also evacuated from St Paul's Grammar School at Castlereagh.

But Since 5pm (AEST) on Tuesday Farmer Dave and about 50 volunteers have been taking dogs from several shelters including Save Our Strays and Greyhound Rescue.

"We've got eight little dogs, we've got dogs from working breeds, we've got maltese crosses, we've got bulldogs, cattle dogs, we've got everything," he said.

And despite the turmoil in the area, they're all on the best behaviour.

"They're very, very quiet. There hasn't been a single bark or a single growl," he said.

"I think they're coping pretty damn well considering."

Which isn't too surprising, given that they have a massive pool and several acres of playgrounds to keep them distracted.

"They've landed on their feet, just quietly. It's pretty much a doggie heaven," he said.

"It's much better than kennels or apartments or whatever they were in.

Anyone needing help with their dog can contact Farmer Dave thorough Facebook or at the Australian Canine Sports and Training Centre.

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NT arrest over cannabis nursery

NT police have seized 200 cannabis seedlings and plants from a home in Tennant Creek. Source: AAP

A 73-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested after police seized 200 cannabis seedlings and plants from his home in Tennant Creek.

During a raid on Tuesday, police found about 190 small cannabis seedlings, 10 mature plants and a large quantity of cannabis seeds.

A police spokesperson could not comment on whether the man was known to officers or if they were tipped off about the stash.

The man has been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis and possessing of cannabis seeds, and will appear in court at a later date.

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Jessica Mauboy adds to Deadlys haul

JESSICA Mauboy has done it again taking home two more gongs at the 19th Deadly Awards at the Sydney Opera House.

The pop sweetheart won Female Artist of the Year and Single Release of the Year for Something's Got A Hold on Me, bringing her total tally of Deadlys to nine, having triumphed in five of the past six ceremonies.

Award-winning drama Redfern Now took best Television Show of the Year at the Tuesday night ceremony while one of its stars, Luke Carroll, was awarded Male Actor of the Year.

Carroll also hosted the evening which celebrates and recognises the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the areas of music, sport, entertainment and community.

Popular film The Sapphires - which just missed last year's cut-off for nominations - won Film of the Year and its star Deborah Mailman was named Female Actor of the Year.

The Album of the Year was awarded to Archie Roach for Into the Bloodstream and the iconic singer/songwriter was also given the Lifetime Contribution Award for Healing the Stolen Generations.

Roach was also due to perform at the event, backed by a 20 piece gospel choir.

All eyes will be following the careers of the up and comers who won in the most promising categories.

Queanbeyan based group Stik n Move won the Deadly for Most Promising New Talent in Music, while it was hockey player, Mariah Williams, who was awarded Most Promising New Talent in Sport.

There were other familiar faces who won in the sports categories including Adam Goodes for AFL Player of the Year and Johnathan Thurston for NRL Player of the Year.

Goodes was also given the Ella Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sport.

A tribute to the late Dr Yunupingu, the lead singer of Yothu Yindi, was set to open the ceremony.

A special rendition of his hit song Mainstream was to be performed by his grandson Rrawun Maymurru, to honour the late singer and former Australian of the Year.

Singer Christine Anu, who is currently playing Bloody Mary in the production of South Pacific at the Sydney Opera House, is scheduled to do a double take on the night as she switches auditoriums to perform at the Deadlys.

Anu's performance of Bali Hai will make history at the Opera House, making her the first to appear in two productions at the venue on the same night.

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"Albo4Leader" campaign under way

A SOCIAL media campaign is underway backing Anthony Albanese as the next federal Labor leader, with supporters convinced he would defeat powerbroker Bill Shorten if the choice goes to party members.

A day after being launched, the "Anthony Albanese for Labor Leader" Facebook page had attracted more than 700 "likes" on Tuesday evening.

The "albo4leader" Twitter handle meanwhile was reporting a spike in "albomentum".

The group claims it isn't connected to the outgoing deputy prime minister, and understands the Sydney-based MP hasn't yet thrown his hat in the ring.

"But it's obvious he's the best candidate to unite and lead Labor!" states a message on the Facebook page, below an image depicting a young, long-haired Mr Albanese from his university days.

One of the group's co-convenors Luke Whitington, a NSW Labor Policy Forum member, said Mr Albanese was a strong parliamentary performer and the best person to return the party to federal government quickly.

Mr Albanese had always proven he'd put the party before himself and had the trust of its rank and files members, he added.

"I think that if given the chance, he'd win a vote amongst the party members overwhelmingly," Mr Whitington told AAP on Tuesday.

The group is appealing for Mr Albanese to contest the top job under new rules which give grassroots members a say.

If there are two or more candidates, the leadership for the first time will be decided in a ballot weighted 50 per cent to the caucus and 50 per cent to grassroots members of the ALP.

Party heavyweight Bill Shorten appears on track to take the federal Labor leadership at a caucus meeting in Canberra on Friday.

But the unendorsed group backing Mr Albanese has demanded there be no backroom deals, warning Labor's rank and file members will be palpable if Mr Shorten were installed without a ballot.

"I think there should be more elections, there should be more democracy, members should have more of a say," Mr Whitington said.

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Kerry reasserts Syria charge in London

IN a strong rebuttal to remarks by Syrian President Bashar Assad, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday there is very strong evidence that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against his own people.

In an interview by Charlie Rose, slated to air Monday on CBS "This Morning," Assad argued that the evidence Kerry has disclosed about chemical weapons use amounts to a "big lie" that resembles the case for war in Iraq that then-Secretary of State Colin Powell made to the United Nations over a decade ago.

Asked to respond, Kerry told reporters in London that he would be confident to take evidence that the US intelligence committee has gathered into any courtroom.

"What does he offer?" Kerry asked rhetorically of Assad. "Words that are contradicted by fact."

Kerry arrived in London Sunday afternoon from Paris where he held talks with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia and members of the Arab League's committed on the Mideast peace talks. He was returning to Washington later Monday to continue to lobby Congress to authorise a military strike against Assad's regime.

At a news conference with Foreign Secretary William Hague, Kerry also said that the British Parliament's decision against endorsing a military strike in Syria would not damage US-British relations. "Our bond is bigger than one vote - bigger than one moment in history," Kerry said.

Kerry, at another point, referenced the roughly 50 protesters outside the British foreign ministry who were chanting "One, two, three four, we don't want another war!" But he said he thinks it's important for nations to "stand up for humanity."

"This is a humanitarian catastrophe of global proportions," he said.

Kerry said the US realises that there is no military solution to conflict, but that a political resolution will not be possible if the Assad regime is allowed to continue killing the Syrian people without consequences.

"The evidence is powerful and the question for all of us is what are we going to do? Turn our backs? Have a moment of silence?" Kerry asked.

He said Assad's credibility is in question.

"He sends SCUD missiles into schools," Kerry said.

Hague agreed, saying: "Let's not fall into the trap of believing every word that comes out of this man's mouth."

Kerry said Assad could resolve the crisis by turning over "every single bit" of his weapons arsenal to the international community within a week. But he said he didn't believe the Syrian leader was "about to do that."

"We know that his regime gave orders to prepare for a chemical attack. We know they deployed forces," he said. Kerry said Washington also "knows where the rockets came from and where they landed ... and it was no accident that they all came from regime -controlled territory and all landed" in opposition-held territory.

Meanwhile, Russian and Syrian foreign ministers said Monday they planned to push for the return of United Nations inspectors to Syria to continue their probe into the use of chemical weapons.

Lavrov said after Monday's talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem that Moscow will continue to promote a peaceful settlement and may try to convene a gathering of all Syrian opposition figures who are interested in peaceful settlement. He said a US attack on Syria would deal a fatal blow to peace efforts.

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China school blast kills two, hurts 34

Two people have died after an apparently accidental explosion outside a primary school in China. Source: AAP

AN explosion outside a primary school in China killed two people and injured at least 34 others on Monday, 26 of them schoolchildren, state-run media and a local official said.

The blast in Guilin, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the south, occurred as a man riding a motorcycle passed the school gate while children were arriving for classes, China's official Xinhua news agency said.

"First, the motorcycle caught fire and then exploded with a tremendous noise that could be heard from far, far away," a witness told Xinhua.

The cause of the explosion was not clear.

A man and a woman were killed immediately and 34 of the injured, including 26 pupils and two infants, were taken to a military hospital in Guilin, Xinhua said. Five of them were in critical condition, it added.

It was not known if the motorcyclist was among the casualties.

Other victims were taken to other hospitals, it said, and exact casualties were still to be determined.

Pictures posted online showed the mangled remains of a tricycle on the ground and a motorcycle in flames outside the school, while several people sat on the ground bleeding.

A local official in Lingchaun County, where the explosion occurred, confirmed the death toll to AFP without offering further details.

Police in Guilin have begun a search for illegal explosives in the city, Xinhua said.

Posters on China's popular weibo microblog sites were outraged.

"Keep asking why the harmonious society is not harmonious, and address the fundamental problems," said one.

Another added: "Why is it always aimed at children? Can't we do something to stop violence?"

China has been hit by a number of attacks on schoolchildren in recent years, including a spate of five incidents in 2010 that killed 15 children and two adults and wounded more than 80.

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