The role of the neck in the feeding behaviour of the <scp>T</scp>yrannosauridae: inference based on kinematics and muscle function of extant avians

Snively, Eric; Russell, Anthony P.; Powell, Gail; Theodor, Jessica M.; Ryan, Michael J.

doi:10.1111/jzo.12109

Cited by 17 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(121 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For example, the occiput of Hatzegopteryx shows obvious signs of substantial soft-tissue attachment: the nuchal line is well developed and long, and its dorsolateral edges are deeply dished and marked with vertical scarring (Buffetaut, Grigorescu & Csiki, 2002; Buffetaut, Grigorescu & Csiki, 2003). Comparison with extant reptile anatomy Herrel & De Vree, 1999; Cleuren & De Vree, 2000; Tsuihiji, 2005; Tsuihiji, 2010; Snively & Russell, 2007; Snively et al, 2014 suggests that these features reflect large insertion areas for transversospinalis musculature (specifically m. transversospinalis capiti and the m. epistropheo-capitis/splenius group), cervical musculature devoted to head and neck extension and lateral flexion. The large neural spines on posterior azhdarchid cervicals and anterior thoracic vertebrae provide potential origin sites for m. transversospinalis capiti, while the long neural spine of cervical III likely anchored m. epistropheo-capitis.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neck biomechanics indicate that giant Transylvanian azhdarchid pterosaurs were short-necked arch predators

Naish

Witton

2017

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Azhdarchid pterosaurs include the largest animals to ever take to the skies with some species exceeding 10 metres in wingspan and 220 kg in mass. Associated skeletons show that azhdarchids were long-necked, long-jawed predators that combined a wing planform suited for soaring with limb adaptations indicative of quadrupedal terrestrial foraging. The postcranial proportions of the group have been regarded as uniform overall, irrespective of their overall size, notwithstanding suggestions that minor variation may have been present. Here, we discuss a recently discovered giant azhdarchid neck vertebra referable to Hatzegopteryx from the Maastrichtian Sebeş Formation of the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, which shows how some azhdarchids departed markedly from conventional views on their proportions. This vertebra, which we consider a cervical VII, is 240 mm long as preserved and almost as wide. Among azhdarchid cervicals, it is remarkable for the thickness of its cortex (4–6 mm along its ventral wall) and robust proportions. By comparing its dimensions to other giant azhdarchid cervicals and to the more completely known necks of smaller taxa, we argue that Hatzegopteryx had a proportionally short, stocky neck highly resistant to torsion and compression. This specimen is one of several hinting at greater disparity within Azhdarchidae than previously considered, but is the first to demonstrate such proportional differences within giant taxa. On the assumption that other aspects of Hatzegopteryx functional anatomy were similar to those of other azhdarchids, and with reference to the absence of large terrestrial predators in the Maastrichtian of Transylvania, we suggest that this pterosaur played a dominant predatory role among the unusual palaeofauna of ancient Haţeg.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neck biomechanics indicate that giant Transylvanian azhdarchid pterosaurs were short-necked arch predators

Naish

Witton

2017

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Specific discussion : From electromyographic studies in the chicken ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) it was found that the M. complexus is involved in lateroflexion, dorsiflexion and rolling of the head [ 32 ]. The arrangement of the muscle in T .…”

Section: Results and Muscle Specific Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Muscular Arrangement and Muscle Attachment Sites in the Cervical Region of the American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata pratincola)

2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Owls have the largest head rotation capability amongst vertebrates. Anatomical knowledge of the cervical region is needed to understand the mechanics of these extreme head movements. While data on the morphology of the cervical vertebrae of the barn owl have been provided, this study is aimed to provide an extensive description of the muscle arrangement and the attachment sites of the muscles on the owl’s head-neck region. The major cervical muscles were identified by gross dissection of cadavers of the American barn owl (Tyto furcata pratincola), and their origin, courses, and insertion were traced. In the head-neck region nine superficial larger cervical muscles of the craniocervical, dorsal and ventral subsystems were selected for analysis, and the muscle attachment sites were illustrated in digital models of the skull and cervical vertebrae of the same species as well as visualised in a two-dimensional sketch. In addition, fibre orientation and lengths of the muscles and the nature (fleshy or tendinous) of the attachment sites were determined. Myological data from this study were combined with osteological data of the same species. This improved the anatomical description of the cervical region of this species. The myological description provided in this study is to our best knowledge the most detailed documentation of the cervical muscles in a strigiform species presented so far. Our results show useful information for researchers in the field of functional anatomy, biomechanical modelling and for evolutionary and comparative studies.

show abstract

“…This sulcus can also often be seen quite commonly in non-avian dinosaurs up to the condition in Tyrannosauroidea, while its absence is a derived trait of coelurosaurs closer to birds. For example, a shallow sulcus on the anteromedial edge of the scapular blade is apparent on the scapula of Ceratosaurus dentisulcatus (UMNH VP 5278), Megalosaurus bucklandii (Walker, 1964) (Snively and Russell, 2007;Snively et al, 2014).…”

Section: Trapezius (Level I)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of the pectoral extrinsic appendicular and infrahyoid musculature in theropods and its functional and behavioral importance

Klingler

2020

Journal of Anatomy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Birds have lost and modified the musculature joining the pectoral girdle to the skull and hyoid, called the pectoral extrinsic appendicular and infrahyoid musculature. These muscles include the levator scapulae, sternomandibularis, sternohyoideus, episternocleidomastoideus, trapezius, and omohyoideus. As non-avian theropod dinosaurs are the closest relatives to birds, it is worth investigating what conditions they may have exhibited to learn when and how these muscles were lost or modified. Using extant phylogenetic bracketing, osteological correlates and non-osteological influences of these muscles are identified and discussed. Compsognathids and basal Maniraptoriformes were found to have been the likeliest transition points of a derived avian condition of losing or modifying these muscles. Increasing needs to control the feather tracts of the neck and shoulder, for insulation, display, or tightening/ readjustment of the skin after dynamic neck movements may have been the selective force that drove some of these muscles to be modified into dermo-osseous muscles. The loss and modification of shoulder protractors created a more immobile girdle that would later be advantageous for flight in birds. The loss of the infrahyoid muscles freed the hyolarynx, trachea, and esophagus which may have aided in vocal tract filtering.

show abstract

The role of the neck in the feeding behaviour of the Tyrannosauridae: inference based on kinematics and muscle function of extant avians

Cited by 17 publications

References 42 publications

Neck biomechanics indicate that giant Transylvanian azhdarchid pterosaurs were short-necked arch predators

Neck biomechanics indicate that giant Transylvanian azhdarchid pterosaurs were short-necked arch predators

Muscular Arrangement and Muscle Attachment Sites in the Cervical Region of the American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata pratincola)

The evolution of the pectoral extrinsic appendicular and infrahyoid musculature in theropods and its functional and behavioral importance

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About