RE: Evolution of tyrannosauroid bite power

["Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <tholtz@umd.edu>]

> From: Ken.Carpenter@dmns.org [mailto:Ken.Carpenter@dmns.org] 
> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 3:30 PM
> To: ptnorton@suscom-maine.net; d_ohmes@yahoo.com; dinosaur@usc.edu
> Subject: RE: Evolution of tyrannosauroid bite power
> 
> Good, then you also know we also stated that "we also believe 
> that, as with most predators, T rex was opportunistic and 
> would have scavenged when given the opportunity." Considering 
> the very limited range of motion of the arm in a forwards 
> direction (Fig. 14 Carpenter, K. 2002.
> Forelimb biomechanics of nonavian theropod dinosaurs in predation.
> Senckenbergiana Lethaea 82: 59-76), the snout would need a 
> hole to accommodate it. This limited range of motion (hence 
> why the snout would hinder carcass lifting) is better shown 
> in Fig. 1 of the paper with Lipkin in the T rex book: the arm 
> can not get anything remotely near the mouth.
> 

And, for that matter, can barely clear the chest...


Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
Email: tholtz@umd.edu   Phone: 301-405-4084
Office: Centreville 1216                        
Senior Lecturer, Vertebrate Paleontology
Dept. of Geology, University of Maryland
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/
Fax: 301-314-9661               

Faculty Director, Earth, Life & Time Program, College Park Scholars
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/eltsite/
Fax: 301-405-0796

Mailing Address:        Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
                        Department of Geology
                        Building 237, Room 1117
                        University of Maryland
                        College Park, MD 20742 USA