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Vollardisaurus: Difference between revisions
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The most notable feature of ''Vollardisaurus'' was its row of tall neural spines, located on the vertebrae of the neck, back, hips and upper tail, which could be more than 2.5 times the height of the vertebrae from which they extended. The lower spines of ''Vollardisaurus'' had attachments for powerful muscles like those of modern bison, probably forming a tall, thick ridge down its back. The function of the spines remains unknown, although they may have been involved in communication, fat storage, muscle or temperature control. All of its cervical (neck) and dorsal (back) vertebrae had prominent depressions (pleurocoels) on the sides, while the caudal (tail) vertebrae bore smaller ones. | The most notable feature of ''Vollardisaurus'' was its row of tall neural spines, located on the vertebrae of the neck, back, hips and upper tail, which could be more than 2.5 times the height of the vertebrae from which they extended. The lower spines of ''Vollardisaurus'' had attachments for powerful muscles like those of modern bison, probably forming a tall, thick ridge down its back. The function of the spines remains unknown, although they may have been involved in communication, fat storage, muscle or temperature control. All of its cervical (neck) and dorsal (back) vertebrae had prominent depressions (pleurocoels) on the sides, while the caudal (tail) vertebrae bore smaller ones. | ||
Aside from its vertebrae, ''Vollardisaurus'' had a typical [[Joanusarid]] skeleton. ''Vollardisaurus'' was bipedal, with a long, heavy tail counterbalancing the head and body, maintaining its center of gravity over its hips. Its forelimbs were relatively shorter and more robust than those of [[Joanusaurus]] but were otherwise similar: each hand bore three clawed digits. Unlike many smaller fast-running dinosaurs, its femur was longer than its tibia and metatarsals, suggesting that ''Vollardisaurus'' was not a fast runner. Unsurprisingly, the hind leg bones of ''Vollardisaurus'' were proportionally more robust than its smaller relative [[Joanusaurus]]. Its feet had four digits each, although as is typical for theropods, the first was much smaller than the rest and did not make contact with the ground. | Aside from its vertebrae, ''Vollardisaurus'' had a typical [[Joanusarid]] skeleton. ''Vollardisaurus'' was bipedal, with a long, heavy tail counterbalancing the head and body, maintaining its center of gravity over its hips. Its forelimbs were relatively shorter and more robust than those of ''[[Joanusaurus]]'' but were otherwise similar: each hand bore three clawed digits. Unlike many smaller fast-running dinosaurs, its femur was longer than its tibia and metatarsals, suggesting that ''Vollardisaurus'' was not a fast runner. Unsurprisingly, the hind leg bones of ''Vollardisaurus'' were proportionally more robust than its smaller relative ''[[Joanusaurus]]''. Its feet had four digits each, although as is typical for theropods, the first was much smaller than the rest and did not make contact with the ground. | ||
From the bone features of the holotype and VSVK 66414, it is estimated that ''Vollardisaurus'' required at least 12 years to fully grow. This number may have been much higher because in the process of bones remodeling and the growth of the medullary cavity, some Harris lines were lost. If accounting for these lines, ''Vollardisaurus'' needed 18–24 years to be mature. | From the bone features of the holotype and VSVK 66414, it is estimated that ''Vollardisaurus'' required at least 12 years to fully grow. This number may have been much higher because in the process of bones remodeling and the growth of the medullary cavity, some Harris lines were lost. If accounting for these lines, ''Vollardisaurus'' needed 18–24 years to be mature. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||