Final answer:
Comparing new dinosaur bones to the T-Rex involves cladistics to identify structural similarities and potential common ancestry. Fossil sketches, plaster jackets, and DNA sequences provide evidence for paleontologists to support their findings about relatedness and ancient ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
A paleontologist comparing a newly discovered set of bones to those of a Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) would first assess the structural similarities and differences. The process involves cladistics, which is a classification method based on common characteristics suggesting a shared common ancestor. For instance, recent findings suggest T. rex was more of a brisk walker rather than a fast runner, as depicted in Jurassic Park, due to its hip structure. This type of new evidence can help in re-evaluating the new specimen's capabilities and behaviors.
Sketching and describing differences between fossils, as in Exercise 7.2, or encasing footprints in a plaster jacket, helps paleontologists in studying and presenting their findings. When distinguishing fossils like those found in Castellón, Spain, or assessing the bite marks on a Triceratops maxilla, researchers can infer aspects of the ecosystem, such as predator-prey relationships.
Historical interpretations, like those by Adrienne Mayor, point out how early finds may have influenced myth, suggesting that Protoceratops and other dinosaurs' bones could have been unearthed by Greek and Roman miners. Citizen scientists, including rock shop owners, have also made significant contributions to paleontology by discovering baby dinosaur fossils or fossilized eggs.
In the context of the question, methods such as comparing DNA sequences can offer insights into the evolutionary relationships between different species of dinosaurs. The final answer in this scenario will include drawing alternative conclusions supported by evidence like structural comparisons, DNA analysis, and fossil context to determine the relatedness of the new bones to the T-Rex.