Section moduli of the humerus bones in theropod dinosaurs
POSTER
Abstract
The section modulus of a bone is a measure of its ability to resist bending torques. Carnivorous bipedal theropod dinosaurs used a variety of strategies to kill their prey. Some used just their teeth, others used vicious claws (usually on their feet) while still others used both teeth and claws. In this work, the section moduli of the humerus bones of bipedal theropod dinosaurs (from \textit{Microvenator celer} to \textit{Tyrannosaurus rex}) are studied to determine the typical bending loads on their arms during predation. The results show that bending strength is not of uniform importance to these magnificent hunters. Holding their struggling prey was clearly important to some theropods, but less so to others. These differences are presumably related to their hunting strategies.
Authors
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Scott Lee
University of Toledo
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Zachary Richards
Washington State University, Department of Physics, Bowling Green State University, 104 Overman Hall, OH 43403, USA, Nuclear Radiation Center, PO Box 641300, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-1300, USA, Institute of Nuclear and Physical Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Ilkovi\v{c}ova 3, 812 19 Bratislava, Slovak Republic, Air Force Institute of Technology, Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, Bowling Green State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University, Purdue University, University of Toledo