The tyrannosaurid metatarsus: Bone strain and inferred ligament function

Eric Snively; Anthony Russell

doi:10.1007/BF03043771

The tyrannosaurid metatarsus: Bone strain and inferred ligament function

Eric Snively, Anthony Russell

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tyrannosaurid dinosaurs possess a metatarsus with an arctometatarsalian proximal constriction of metatarsal III, and strongly interlocking proximal articulations. Bone and inferred ligament morphologies arc suggestive of modes of locomotor energy transmission. CT scanning and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Gorgosaurus libratus metatarsals test two hypotheses of tyrannosaurid arctometatarsus function: ligaments mediated transfer of energy from the central metatarsal to the outer elements, and ligaments arrested anterodorsal rotation of the distal portion of the central metatarsal. The results have implications for the use of FEA in functional morphology: 1) strain artifacts are identifiable under low-resolution modeling, but higher resolution is better; and 2) bone strain aids in testing hypotheses of ligament function. Concentrations of bone strain energy under postulated loading regimes for Gorgosaurus support the hypothesis of axial energy transmission for the tyrannosaurid metatarsus, and indirectly support the rotation damping hypothesis. Palaeopathology provides a vital complement to engineering tests of these hypotheses.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	35-42
Number of pages	8
Journal	Senckenbergiana Lethaea
Volume	82
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03043771
State	Published - 1 Jan 2002
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Finite element
Functional morphology
Ligament
Locomotion
Metatarsus
Paleopathology
Tyrannosauridae

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10.1007/BF03043771

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title = "The tyrannosaurid metatarsus: Bone strain and inferred ligament function",

abstract = "Tyrannosaurid dinosaurs possess a metatarsus with an arctometatarsalian proximal constriction of metatarsal III, and strongly interlocking proximal articulations. Bone and inferred ligament morphologies arc suggestive of modes of locomotor energy transmission. CT scanning and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Gorgosaurus libratus metatarsals test two hypotheses of tyrannosaurid arctometatarsus function: ligaments mediated transfer of energy from the central metatarsal to the outer elements, and ligaments arrested anterodorsal rotation of the distal portion of the central metatarsal. The results have implications for the use of FEA in functional morphology: 1) strain artifacts are identifiable under low-resolution modeling, but higher resolution is better; and 2) bone strain aids in testing hypotheses of ligament function. Concentrations of bone strain energy under postulated loading regimes for Gorgosaurus support the hypothesis of axial energy transmission for the tyrannosaurid metatarsus, and indirectly support the rotation damping hypothesis. Palaeopathology provides a vital complement to engineering tests of these hypotheses.",

keywords = "Finite element, Functional morphology, Ligament, Locomotion, Metatarsus, Paleopathology, Tyrannosauridae",

author = "Eric Snively and Anthony Russell",

note = "Funding Information: We thank Childrens Hospital and Health Center of San Diego for their accommodation in CT scanning the Gorgosaurus libratus metatarsals, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology for specimen excavation, curation, and loans. Doug Phillips, Gamal Baroud, Mark Lobo, and the University of Calgary Human Performance Lab made the Finite Element Analysis possible. Discussions with Philip Currie, Walter Herzog, and John Hutchinson were invaluable, and we extend our gratitude to Thomas Holtz for an insightful review of the manuscript.. Donna Sloan drew the Gorgosaurus silhouettes in text-fig. 1. We gratefully acknowledge a Jurassic Foundation grant, an RTMP Heaton Student Support Grant, and University of Calgary Graduate Faculty Council Scholarships awarded to ERIC SNIVELY, and an NSERC operating grant awarded to ANTHONY RUSSELL.",

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N2 - Tyrannosaurid dinosaurs possess a metatarsus with an arctometatarsalian proximal constriction of metatarsal III, and strongly interlocking proximal articulations. Bone and inferred ligament morphologies arc suggestive of modes of locomotor energy transmission. CT scanning and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Gorgosaurus libratus metatarsals test two hypotheses of tyrannosaurid arctometatarsus function: ligaments mediated transfer of energy from the central metatarsal to the outer elements, and ligaments arrested anterodorsal rotation of the distal portion of the central metatarsal. The results have implications for the use of FEA in functional morphology: 1) strain artifacts are identifiable under low-resolution modeling, but higher resolution is better; and 2) bone strain aids in testing hypotheses of ligament function. Concentrations of bone strain energy under postulated loading regimes for Gorgosaurus support the hypothesis of axial energy transmission for the tyrannosaurid metatarsus, and indirectly support the rotation damping hypothesis. Palaeopathology provides a vital complement to engineering tests of these hypotheses.

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The tyrannosaurid metatarsus: Bone strain and inferred ligament function

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