Body mass estimation in non‐avian bipeds using a theoretical conversion to quadruped stylopodial proportions

摘要: Summary 1. Body mass is strongly related to both physiological and ecological properties of living organisms. As a result, generating robust, broadly applicable models for estimating body in the fossil record provides opportunity reconstruct palaeobiology investigate evolutionary ecology on large temporal scale. 2. A recent study provided strong evidence that minimum circumference stylopodial elements (humerus femur) conservatively associated with quadrupeds. Unfortunately, this model not directly extinct bipeds, such as non-avian dinosaurs. 3. This presents new equation mathematically corrects quadruped equ ation use bipeds. It derived from systemic difference circumference-to-area scaling relationship two circles (hypothetical quadruped) one circle biped), which represent cross-section main weight-bearing limb bones. 4. When applied newly constructed data set femoral circumferences masses birds, reveals errors are significantly lower than other published equations, but higher error inherent avian set. Such errors, however, expected given unique overall circumference–body found birds. 5. estimates sample bipedal dinosaurs using consistent based volumetric life reconstructions, but, contrast, simpler use, concomitant potential provide wider 6. Although it evident no estimation flawless, combined corrected quadrupedal equations previously offer approach estimate quadrupeds These have implications conducting large-scale macroevolutionary analyses size throughout history terrestrial vertebrates, and, particular, across major changes plan, evolution bipedality archosaurs quadrupedality