Finite element analysis to compare the ecology of the late Jurassic theropods Ceratosaurus and Allosaurus. Part I: femurs and locomotion
Keywords:
Theropoda, Locomotion, FEA, Femur, Late JurassicAbstract
Locomotion is a key aspect of animal ecology, and has been studied
through a wide variety of methods. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has been
used to study posture in non-avian theropods but has never been used to
study differences in their locomotion. This study aims to explore the potential
of FEA in this problematic through the application on a Ceratosaurus
and an Allosaurus femur, both from Late Jurassic deposits of Portugal. The
femurs show clear differences, with Ceratosaurus having a comparatively
stronger femur. The significance of this difference is complicated to interpret
from an ecological point of view due to the lack of other study exploring
this thematic. However, the differences noted here highlight the potential of
such methodology on studies related to the locomotion in theropods.
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