Abstract
The stegosaurian forelimb is usually portrayed with the metacarpals slanted and distally spread. However, manual manip− ulation of stegosaurian metacarpals reveals that in that configuration they do not articulate with each other nor with the rest of the forelimb. Rather, they do articulate with each other and with the rest of the forelimb when posed vertically and arranged in a compact, semi−tubular configuration, as in sauropods. This configuration agrees with data from articulated specimens and trackways. As with sauropods, this metacarpal configuration makes retention of phalanges awkward for locomotion and may be functionally related to the vestigiality of the manual phalanges of the outer digits.
Highlights
The stegosaurian forelimb is usually portrayed with the metacarpals slanted and distally spread
Manual manipulation of stegosaurian metacarpals reveals that in that configuration they do not articulate with each other nor with the rest of the forelimb. They do articulate with each other and with the rest of the forelimb when posed vertically and arranged in a compact, semi−tubular configuration, as in sauropods. This configuration agrees with data from articulated specimens and trackways
This metacarpal configuration makes retention of phalanges awkward for locomotion and may be functionally related to the vestigiality of the manual phalanges of the outer digits
Summary
The stegosaurian forelimb is usually portrayed with the metacarpals slanted and distally spread.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Similar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.