Re: Sauropod and forest dwelling

[carlo godel <regiaero@gj.net>]

Matthew
what do you mean by up and down motion in the foot? I understand the side to
side. do you mean rotation about the ankle joint?
Carlo

Matthew Bonnan wrote:

> Okay, okay, okay.  I've resisted the temptation long enough.  I have to say
> something about sauropods, even if just briefly (am I every brief?). =)
>
> What I am seeing in my research is that the hind feet of sauropods,
> particularly those of diplodocids, are a bit more flexible than you would
> think.  I have seen numerous references to sauropod hind feet being immobile
> support structures or "fixed" joints.  The most colorful description I have
> seen in this regard is from the late Jim Jensen who described the
> contribution of the pes (hindfoot) to sauropod locomotion as equivalent to
> the rubber stopper on the end of a crutch. =)
>
> Diplodocids have very flexible toes for such big animals.  How do I know
> this?  I've been articulating them every chance I have, and they do not
> compare to elephant toes.  Instead, the whole foot appears to have been
> capable of some limited sideways rocking (eversion) and up and down
> mobility.
>
> Camarasaurs appear more limited in the their ability to move the toes and
> hind foot.  With such mobile feet, perhaps diplodocid sauropods are not as
> hydrophobic as people make them out to be.  Big, flexible feet seem ideal
> for walking in mud.  I'll leave it there for now.
>
> The forefeet are another story entirely, and that is for another time.
> Plus, as I keep lamenting, I am writing the hind foot stuff up now as we
> speak.  There are stats involved and computer shape analysis, so compiling
> it all together is taking longer than anticipated.  Still, sauropods beat
> elephants any day (and I can say that knowing that this is a dinosaur list)!
>   Remember that reptiles, especially sauropods, represent the pinnacle of
> evolution: all efficiency with little thought. =)
>
> Matt Bonnan
>
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