March of the Titans: The Locomotor Capabilities of Sauropod Dinosaurs

摘要: Sauropod dinosaurs are the largest terrestrial vertebrate to have lived on Earth. This size must posed special challenges for musculoskeletal system. Scaling theory shows that body mass and hence loads be overcome increases with more rapidly than either ability of muscles generate force, or skeleton support these loads. Here we demonstrate how one very sauropods, Argentinosaurus huinculensis (40 metres long, weighing 83 tonnes), may moved. A model was generated using data captured by laser scanning a mounted assigning muscle properties based comparative from living animals. Locomotion is forward dynamic simulation calculate accelerations produced forces, coupled machine learning techniques find control pattern minimises metabolic cost. The demonstrates at such vast size, joint range motion needs restricted allow sufficient force generation an achievable mass. However when this done, perfectly plausible gait can relatively easily. Whilst represents best current giant animals, it likely there as yet unknown mechanical mechanisms, possibly passive elastic structures should incorporated increase efficiency animal's locomotion. It certainly case would need into properly assess full locomotor capabilities animal.