Moving monoliths: analyzing the stance and locomotion of sauropod dinosaurs

• Applicant: Dr. Verónica Díez Díaz, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Geology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 470751746

Vertebrate palaeontology is a research field in which a classical approach was used most of the times. However, in the last decades new techniques and methodologies are increasingly often employed to assess previous hypotheses and improving our knowledge about the biology of extinct animals. This project will take advantage of some of these techniques, such as 3D digitisation and biomechanical simulation tools, for developing detailed 3D musculoskeletal models of the hindlimb and tail of four well-known sauropod dinosaurs. Different gauge stances have been hypothesized for these taxa, as well as tail anatomy and related biological functions. This project will be the first one to assess the validity of these assumptions creating realistic and detailed anatomical and biomechanical models. Within sauropod dinosaurs we can find the largest animals that roamed the Earth. Besides the general thought that sauropods were huge quadrupedal animals with long tails and necks and small heads, they truly achieved an impressive diversity. Numerous muscular evidences on their bones permit to assess this diversity. But one step further is to recreate how these animals behaved and moved.Our methodology comprises the digitisation of sauropod remains by photogrammetry and structured light scanner, depending on the physical features of the bone. With the obtained 3D models we will create detailed 3D musculoskeletal models, and calculate ranges of motion with the Computer Aided Design software Maya and Rhinoceros. With this information we will be able to develop complex biomechanical analyses and create virtual trackways with specific animal locomotor simulation software (GaitSym2019). Two hypotheses will be tested, that can be resumed on how gauge stance is related with the anatomy of the hindlimb and the biological role of the tail. In addition, complex analyses will be developed for comparing for the first time the locomotor patterns of these gauge stances with fossilized trackways. The completion and final outcomes of this project will be greatly helpful for our understanding on the locomotion and biology of sauropod dinosaurs. In addition, the protocols and methodology used can be applied to the study of other extinct and extant animals. But one of the most important prospects is related with the comparison between virtual and fossilized trackways that will be done for the first time. Modelling in detail the complete musculoskeletal system of sauropods and studying its biomechanics could help to better understand the locomotive patterns of these big animals, but would also improve our knowledge on ichnology and how trackways are made.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy, United Kingdom
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Daniela Schwarz
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Matteo Belvedere; Professor Dr. William I. Sellers