Using step width to compare locomotor biomechanics between extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs and modern obligate bipeds

P J Bishop; Christofer J Clemente; R E Weems; D F Graham; L P Lamas; J R Hutchinson; J Rubenson; R S Wilson; S A Hocknull; R S Barrett; D G Lloyd

doi:10.1098/rsif.2017.0276

Back

Using step width to compare locomotor biomechanics between extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs and modern obligate bipeds

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Using step width to compare locomotor biomechanics between extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs and modern obligate bipeds

P J Bishop, Christofer J Clemente, R E Weems, D F Graham, L P Lamas, J R Hutchinson, J Rubenson, R S Wilson, S A Hocknull, R S Barrett, …

Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Vol.14(132), 20170276

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2017.0276

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2017.0276View

Published Version

Abstract

step width

locomotion

theropods

birds

fossil footprints

How extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs locomoted is a subject of considerable interest, as is the manner in which it evolved on the line leading to birds. Fossil footprints provide the most direct evidence for answering these questions. In this study, step width-the mediolateral (transverse) distance between successive footfalls-was investigated with respect to speed (stride length) in non-avian theropod trackways of Late Triassic age. Comparable kinematic data were also collected for humans and 11 species of ground-dwelling birds. Permutation tests of the slope on a plot of step width against stride length showed that step width decreased continuously with increasing speed in the extinct theropods (p < 0.001), as well as the five tallest bird species studied (p < 0.01). Humans, by contrast, showed an abrupt decrease in step width at the walk-run transition. In the modern bipeds, these patterns reflect the use of either a discontinuous locomotor repertoire, characterized by distinct gaits (humans), or a continuous locomotor repertoire, where walking smoothly transitions into running (birds). The non-avian theropods are consequently inferred to have had a continuous locomotor repertoire, possibly including grounded running. Thus, features that characterize avian terrestrial locomotion had begun to evolve early in theropod history.

Details

Title: Using step width to compare locomotor biomechanics between extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs and modern obligate bipeds
Authors: P J Bishop (Author) - Queensland Museum
Christofer J Clemente (Author) - Griffith University
R E Weems (Author) - Calvet Marine Museum, United States
D F Graham (Author) - Griffith University
L P Lamas (Author) - Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom
J R Hutchinson (Author) - Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom
J Rubenson (Author) - Pennsylvania State University, United States
R S Wilson (Author) - University of Queensland
S A Hocknull (Author) - Queensland Museum
R S Barrett (Author) - Griffith University
D G Lloyd (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Vol.14(132), 20170276
Publisher: Royal Society Publishing
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0276
ISSN: 1742-5689
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450469502621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

396 Record Views

22 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Zoology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites