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THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Eric Snively A ... - Ohio University

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anterodorsal rotation of the distal portion of MT III, bending strains ancentrated<br />

in the region of the proximal splint were probably greater than the bone coutd<br />

withstand without breaking. As with results mm the previaus analysis, specific<br />

strain magnitudes are difiÏcult to ascertain from MARC'S visualized output.<br />

However, strain energy concentration shown (Figure 4.6) implies that ligaments<br />

were necessary to prevent MT III fiom breaking under the angled loading regime.<br />

Taphonomic evidence strikingly demonstrates the strength of ligamentous<br />

articulation in tyrannosaurid metatarsi (Philip Cume, personal communication<br />

2000). Despite their proximal gracility, fradured and healed arctometatarsalian<br />

MT III are unknown in the fossil record. This indicates that some strong<br />

mechanism prevented the elements from breaking. ln contrast, tyrannosaurid<br />

fibulae are often found with healed breaks. This bone is more robust than the<br />

proximal splint of MT 111. Logically, we would expect to find more broken<br />

tyrannosaurid third metatarsals than fibulae, unless connedive tissues of the<br />

metatarsus were absorbing locomotor stress. Tyrannosaurid metatarsi are<br />

usually found intact even when the rest of the skeleton is disarticulated. The<br />

specimen from which this metatarsus was taken, TMP 94.12.602, was<br />

incomplete, with bones scattered over a wide area. 60th metatarsi were found<br />

intact, indicating that interrnetatarsal ligaments may have been stronger, and<br />

slower to degenerate, than other soft tissues (Philip Currie, personal<br />

communication 2000). The extent and orientation of these Iigaments ties in with<br />

putative function suggested by bone strain data.

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