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

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The precise scaling of metatarsal ligament cross sections between<br />

omithomimids, tyrannosaurids, and troodontids has yet to be investigated.<br />

The morphology of buttressing surfaces in the T don metatarsus (Figure<br />

2.10) was the mirror image of the condition in omithomimids and tyrannosaurids,<br />

in which footfall energies were transferred from MT III to MT II. Instead, with<br />

Troodon long axis compressive forces on MT III would be transferred mainly to<br />

MT IV. Its buttressing surface for MT III was more acutely angled to the substrate<br />

than that of MT II, and would have ken loaded by the component of the ground-<br />

reaction force parallel to the long axis of the metatarsus. In contrast, the MT II-<br />

MT III contact is in a parasagittal plane. In Traodon, MT II is shorter than MT IV,<br />

and bears a retractile ungual phalanx presumably held clear of the ground; it is<br />

unlikely that the second pedal digit contnbuted to weight bearing.<br />

2) Oviraptorosauria: Hmisaurus sp.<br />

MT III of this specimen shows proximal constriction on its anterior surface, but<br />

plantar constriction is restrided to the distal portion of the metatarsal (Figure<br />

2.1 1). As in other elmisaurids (Currie and Russell 1988), the metatarsals are also<br />

fused proximally. Compressive energy would transfer from the distal third<br />

metatarsal to the proximal ankylosis of the bones, and would not be transmitted<br />

by ligaments to the astragalar condyles, as was likely in tyrannosaurids (Chapter<br />

3, Holtz 19944.<br />

3) Deinonychus anfinhopus.<br />

MT III of Deinonychus displays a sligM plantar angulation on its media1<br />

surface, and a distally extensive articular facet for MT II (Figure 2.12). Neither

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