Original paper

The evolution of bipedality in dinosaurs

Tarsitano, S.

Image of first page of:

Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen Band 164 Heft 1-2 (1982), p. 203 - 205

8 references

published: Dec 22, 1982

DOI: 10.1127/njgpa/164/1982/203

BibTeX file

ArtNo. ESP155016401046, Price: 29.00 €

Download preview PDF Buy as PDF

Abstract

The occurrence of the crocodilian normal tarsus (Tarsitano, this volume) is found throughout the advanced thecodonts, the Pseudosuchia (Krebs, 1963). According to Huene (1921) and Heilmann (1926), the dinosaurs originated from the Pseudosuchia. Therefore, it is from the pseudosuchian ankle that the dinosaur mesotarsal joint must be derived. The method by which the crocodilian type tarsus (intratarsal joint) was modified to the dinosaur mesotarsal joint can be explained in functional terms, taking into account the constraints imposed by the pseudosuchian morphology.

Keywords

crocodilian tarsus • pseudosuchian ankle • mesotarsal joint • bipedal erect posture • pseudosuchians