Abstract:
:Dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaurs possess a strongly recurved, hypertrophied and hyperextensible ungual claw on pedal digit II. This feature is usually suggested to have functioned as a device for disembowelling herbivorous dinosaurs during predation. However, modelling of dromaeosaurid hindlimb function using a robotic model and comparison of pedal ungual morphology with extant analogue taxa both indicate that this distinctive claw did not function as a slashing weapon, but may have acted as an aid to prey capture.
journal_name
Biol Lettjournal_title
Biology lettersauthors
Manning PL,Payne D,Pennicott J,Barrett PM,Ennos RAdoi
10.1098/rsbl.2005.0395subject
Has Abstractpub_date
2006-03-22 00:00:00pages
110-2issue
1eissn
1744-9561issn
1744-957Xpii
K23R1H1880420114journal_volume
2pub_type
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