Modern three-dimensional digital methods for studying locomotor biomechanics in tetrapods

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 226(Suppl_1)

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

ABSTRACT Here, we review the modern interface of three-dimensional (3D) empirical (e.g. motion capture) and theoretical modelling simulation) approaches to study terrestrial locomotion using appendages in tetrapod vertebrates. These tools span a spectrum from more such as XROMM, potentially intermediate finite element analysis, dynamic musculoskeletal simulations or conceptual models. methods have much common beyond importance 3D digital technologies, are powerfully synergistic when integrated, opening wide range hypotheses that can be tested. We discuss pitfalls challenges these methods, leading consideration problems potential their current future usage. The (hardware software) for hardware analysis matured point where now use this integration answer questions could never tackled 20 years ago, apply insights gleaned them other fields.

Language: Английский

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The postcranial anatomy and osteohistology of Terrestrisuchus gracilis (Archosauria, Crocodylomorpha) from the Late Triassic of Wales

Papers in Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(4)

Published: July 1, 2024

Abstract The earliest crocodylomorphs, known as non‐crocodyliform first appeared during the Late Triassic. In contrast to extant crocodylians, which are all semi‐aquatic, early crocodylomorphs represent terrestrial taxa with a fully erect posture and in most cases small body size. Their gracile skeletons suggest an active mode of life, possibly similar contemporaneous, bipedal theropod dinosaurs. Despite this remarkable plan, postcranial morphology has rarely been documented detail, restricting our ability infer aspects their functional evolution. Here, we provide detailed description postcranium Terrestrisuchus gracilis , small‐bodied crocodylomorph from Triassic Pant‐y‐Ffynnon Quarry (southern Wales, UK), including long bone tissues based on histological thin sections. Almost elements skeleton have preserved. is highly gracile, even for crocodylomorph. Osteological correlates appendicular that had digitigrade, quadrupedal posture. A quantitative analysis limb robustness corroborates was quadruped. Histological suggests sampled specimens were skeletally immature fast growth at time death, indicated by lack external fundamental system predominance fibrolamellar bone. tissue recently described Saltoposuchus connectens certain non‐crocodylomorph pseudosuchians, but differs Hesperosuchus agilis crocodyliforms, parallel‐fibred more prevalent.

Language: Английский

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Macroevolutionary patterns in the pelvis, stylopodium and zeugopodium of megalosauroid theropod dinosaurs and their importance for locomotor function

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

During the Mesozoic, non-avian theropods represented one of most successful clades globally distributed, with a wide diversity forms. An example is clade Megalosauroidea, which included medium- to large-bodied Here, we analyse macroevolution locomotor system in early Theropoda, emphasizing Megalosauroidea. We scored

Language: Английский

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Quantitative biomechanical assessment of locomotor capabilities of the stem archosaur Euparkeria capensis

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Birds and crocodylians are the only remaining members of Archosauria (ruling reptiles) they exhibit major differences in posture gait, which polar opposites terms locomotor strategies. Their broader lineages (Avemetatarsalia Pseudosuchia) evolved a multitude modes Triassic Jurassic periods, including several occurrences bipedalism. The exact timings frequencies bipedal origins within archosaurs, thus their ancestral capabilities, contentious. It is often suggested that archosaurs ancestrally exhibited some form Euparkeria capensis central taxon for investigation locomotion due to its phylogenetic position intermediate skeletal morphology, argued be representative facultative bipedalism this group. However, no studies date have biomechanically tested if bipedality was feasible Eupakeria. Here, we use musculoskeletal models static simulations hindlimb test influences body muscle parameter estimation methods on potential. Our analyses show resulting negative pitching moments around centre mass were prohibitive sustainable bipedality. We conclude it unlikely facultatively bipedal, probably quadrupedal, rendering inference abilities unlikely.

Language: Английский

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Locomotor and postural diversity among reptiles viewed through the prism of femoral microanatomy: Palaeobiological implications for some Permian and Mesozoic taxa

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 242(5), P. 891 - 916

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

Abstract The water‐to‐land transition by the first tetrapod vertebrates represents a key stage in their evolution. Selection pressures exerted this new environment on animals led to emergence of locomotor and postural strategies that favoured access different ecological niches contributed evolutionary success. Today, amniotes show great diversity, particularly among Reptilia, whose extant representatives include parasagittally locomoting erect crouched bipeds (birds), sub‐parasagittal ‘semi‐erect’ quadrupeds (crocodylians) sprawling (squamates turtles). But steps leading such diversity remain enigmatic type locomotion adopted many extinct species raises questions. This is notably case certain Triassic taxa as Euparkeria Marasuchus . exploration bone microanatomy reptiles could help overcome these uncertainties. Indeed, accompanied microanatomical disparity. On land, bones appendicular skeleton support weight body are subject multiple constraints partly shape external internal morphology. Here we how parameters measured cross‐section, compactness or position medullocortical transition, can be related locomotion. We hypothesised due variations cortical thickness. Using statistical methods take phylogeny into account (phylogenetic flexible discriminant analyses), develop models from sample femur cross‐sections 51 reptile species. use infer posture 7 for which they debated not fully clear. Our produced reliable inferences preceded followed quadruped/biped sprawling/erect transitions, within Captorhinidae Dinosauria. For contemporary with Terrestrisuchus , more questionable. linear investigate effect mass functional ecology our inference models. seems significantly impact model predictions most cases, unlike ecology. Finally, illustrate taphonomic processes parameters, especially eccentricity section, while addressing some other potential limitations methods. study provides insight evolution various early reptiles. used palaeontologists taxa, when considered combination lines evidence.

Language: Английский

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Biomechanical modeling of musculoskeletal function related to the terrestrial locomotion of Riojasuchus tenuisceps (Archosauria: Ornithosuchidae)

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 308(2), P. 369 - 393

Published: June 29, 2024

Abstract Riojasuchus tenuisceps was a pseudosuchian archosaur from the Late Triassic period in Argentina. Like other ornithosuchids, it had unusual morphology such as unique “crocodile‐reversed” ankle joint, lesser trochanter dinosaurs and few archosaurs, robust vertebrae, somewhat shortened, gracile forelimbs. Such traits have fuelled controversies about its locomotor function—were limbs erect or “semi‐erect”? Was quadrupedal bipedal, mixture thereof? These seem to persist because analyses been qualitative (functional morphology) correlative (morphometrics) rather than explicitly, quantitatively testing mechanistic hypotheses function. Here, we develop 3D whole‐body model of R. with musculoskeletal apparatus hindlimbs represented detail using new muscle reconstruction. We use this quantify body dimensions hindlimb leverages enigmatic taxon, estimate joint ranges motion functions. Our supports prior arguments that used an posture, parasagittal gait plantigrade pes. However, some our inferences illuminate contradictory nature evidence system —different features support (or are ambiguous regarding) quadrupedalism bipedalism. Deeper biomechanical could move toward consensus regarding ornithosuchid locomotion. Answering these questions would not only help understand palaeobiology bizarre clade, but also more broadly if how) abilities played role survival versus extinction various lineages during end‐Triassic mass event.

Language: Английский

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Anatomically grounded estimation of hindlimb muscle sizes in Archosauria

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 242(2), P. 289 - 311

Published: Oct. 7, 2022

Abstract In vertebrates, active movement is driven by muscle forces acting on bones, either directly or through tendinous insertions. There has been much debate over how size and force are reflected the muscular attachment areas (AAs). Here we investigate relationship between physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA), a proxy for production of muscle, AA hindlimb muscles in Nile crocodiles five bird species. The limbs were held fixed position whilst blunt dissection was carried out to isolate individual muscles. AAs digitised using point digitiser, before removed from bone. Muscles then further dissected fibre architecture measured, PCSA calculated. raw measures, as well ratio AA, studied compared intra‐observer error intra‐ interspecies differences. We found large variations both within across species, but fascicle lengths conserved whether this tinamou. Whilst discriminant analysis able separate crocodylian avian data, ratios all species most can be represented single equation. remaining have specific equations represent their scaling, often relatively high success at predicting PCSA. Coelophysis bauri , dinosaur, estimate PCSAs therefore maximal isometric forces. results somewhat consistent with other methods estimating production, suggest that, least some archosaurian muscles, that it possible use sizes. This method complementary such digital volumetric modelling.

Language: Английский

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The dinosaur boom in the Cretaceous

Geological Society London Special Publications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 544(1)

Published: Oct. 25, 2023

Abstract Dinosaurs were thriving at the beginning of Cretaceous, and yet major changes had occurred across Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary. The sauropods replaced by ornithopods as dominant herbivores, which has been explained many ecological scenarios, including replacement gymnosperms angiosperms land plants. ornithischians went on to radiate substantially in mid Late with key clades (hadrosaurs, ceratopsians, ankylosaurs) specializing different feeding modes diets, reaching huge abundance faunas. New computational methods allow palaeobiologists assess aspects palaeobiology, macroecology macroevolution dinosaurs through Cretaceous testable repeatable ways. These new approaches have shed light mysteries, such whether ate flowers, why hadrosaurs so successful some theropods became larger or smaller, switched from carnivory herbivory. There are further debates around final demise dinosaurs, where regional global data suggest group was decline latter part before they finished asteroid impact.

Language: Английский

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Reconstruction of the pelvic girdle and hindlimb musculature of the early tetanurans Piatnitzkysauridae (Theropoda, Megalosauroidea)

Journal of Anatomy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 244(4), P. 557 - 593

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Abstract Piatnitzkysauridae were Jurassic theropods that represented the earliest diverging branch of Megalosauroidea, being one lineages to have evolved moderate body size. This clade's typical size and some unusual anatomical features raise questions about locomotor function specializations aid in support; other palaeobiological issues. Biomechanical models simulations can illuminate how extinct animals may moved, but require data as inputs. With a phylogenetic context, osteological evidence, neontological on anatomy, it is possible infer musculature taxa. Here, we reconstructed hindlimb ( Condorraptor , Marshosaurus Piatnitzkysaurus ). We chose this clade for future usage biomechanics, comparisons with myological reconstructions theropods, resulting evolutionary implications our reconstructions; differential preservation affects these inferences, so discuss issues well. considered 32 muscles total: attachments 29 could be inferred based correlates; meanwhile, respectively 21 12 muscles. found great similarity within Piatnitzkysauridae, differences such origin M . ambiens caudofemoralis brevis are present. Similarities evident Aves, division iliofemoralis externus iliotrochantericus caudalis broad depression gastrocnemius pars medialis cnemial crest. Nevertheless, plesiomorphic origins puboischiofemoralis internus 1 around “cuppedicus” fossa ischiotrochantericus medially ischium. As first attempt reconstruct early tetanurans, study allows more complete understanding evolution theropod pelvic appendages.

Language: Английский

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The evolution of femoral morphology in giant non-avian theropod dinosaurs

Paleobiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 50(2), P. 308 - 329

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Theropods are obligate bipedal dinosaurs that appeared 230 Ma and still extant as birds. Their history is characterized by extreme variations in body mass, with gigantism evolving convergently between many lineages. However, no quantification of hindlimb functional morphology has shown whether these mass increases led to similar specializations distinct Here we studied femoral shape variation across 41 species theropods ( n = 68 specimens) using a high-density 3D geometric morphometric approach. We demonstrated the heaviest evolved wider epiphyses more distally located fourth trochanter, previously early archosaurs, along an upturned head mediodistal crest extended proximally shaft. Phylogenetically informed analyses highlighted traits within six major theropod lineages, regardless their maximum mass. Conversely, most gracile femora were from rest dataset, which interpret specialization “miniaturization” close Avialae (bird lineage). Our results support gradual evolution known “avian” features, such fusion lesser greater trochanters reduction epiphyseal offset, independent variations, may relate type locomotion (more knee than hip driven). The distinction represented decoupling morphology, whose biomechanical nature should be better understand importance its role gigantism, miniaturization, higher parasagittal abilities.

Language: Английский

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