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Sauropodomorph skeletal mounts as scientific devices for testing hypotheses

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Abstract

Fossil skeletal mounts are more than popular attractions at paleontological exhibitions. Thorough History they have proven, when properly mounted, to be great devices for evaluating paleobiological hypotheses otherwise untestable. Nevertheless, mounting skeletons based on preconceived notions or looking for spectacularity has also contributed to spark a lot of scientific debate for decades. This work reviews some historical and recent cases on how skeletal mounting of sauropodomorph dinosaurs, physical or virtual, has resulted as hypothesis testing device or as a vehicle for false hypotheses to spread. Skeletal mounts can be valid hypothesis testing devices when following strict rigorous and repeatable protocols. Some criteria for evaluating previously existing mounts or executing new ones are proposed.

Resumen

Los montajes de esqueletos fósiles son más que atracciones populares en exhibiciones de paleontología. A lo largo de la historia han demostrado ser, debidamente ejecutados, herramientas para evaluar hipótesis en paleobiología que de otra manera no sería posible. Sin embargo, su ejecución basada en nociones preconcebidas o el buscar espectacularidad también ha contribuido a generar mucho debate dentro del mundo científico durante décadas. En este trabajo se analizan algunos casos históricos y recientes de cómo el montaje de esqueletos de dinosaurios sauropodomorfos, físicos o virtuales, ha resultado ser tanto una herramienta de refutación útil como una forma de expandir ideas erróneas. El montaje de esqueletos fósiles puede ser una herramienta científica válida siguiendo protocolos rigurosos y repetibles. Se proponen criterios para ejecutarlos, así como para evaluar la validez de montajes previos.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M. Lamanna and A. Heinrici (Carnegie Museum), D. Brickman and M. Fox (Yale Peabody Museum), M. Norell and C. Mehling (American Museum of Natural History), P. Makovicky and W. Simpson (Field Museum of Natural History) and A. McGee, M. Ryan and A. Hall (Cleveland Museum of Natural History) for their help when consulting specimens under their care. Thanks to Ben Miller for sharing his extensive knowledge on fossil mounts and sharing bibliography. Thanks to Pedro Mocho for kindly sharing his pictures for some of the figures on this manuscript, and for his insight while reviewing the fossil mounts. Thanks to Alejandro Serrano-Martínez, Elena Cuesta, Verónica Díez-Díaz and Carmela Calés for reviewing earlier versions of this manuscript and their extremely useful suggestions. Thanks to the organization of the XVII EJIP for the oportunity of submitting this manuscript and to the assistants to the conference. Thanks to two anonymous reviewers for their comments, which have improved substantially this manuscript. DV’s research is funded by a predoctoral FPI UNED Grant (Ref. 0531174813 Y0SC001170).

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  1. Grupo de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Paseo Senda Del Rey, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    D. Vidal & F. Ortega

  2. Unidad de Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Calle Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    J. L. Sanz

  3. Real Academia Española de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Calle Valverde, 24, 28004, Madrid, Spain

    J. L. Sanz

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Vidal, D., Ortega, F. & Sanz, J.L. Sauropodomorph skeletal mounts as scientific devices for testing hypotheses. J Iber Geol 46, 177–193 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-020-00122-3

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