Dinosaur killer claws or climbing crampons?
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.
Manning
Phillip L
PL
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Science and The Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. phil.manning@manchester.ac.uk
Payne
David
D
Pennicott
John
J
Barrett
Paul M
PM
Ennos
Roland A
RA
D000818:Animals; D025061:Dinosaurs / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior