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Reconstructing hypothetical sauropod tails by means of 3D digitization: Lirainosaurus astibiae as case study

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Abstract

Purpose

Dinosaur fossil skeletons are rarely found complete and from a single individual. Most findings include remains from several individuals of different sizes and ontogenetic stages. Although many skeletal models have been produced from various specimens, such as 2D drawings, physical mounts or 3D virtual models, the detailed techniques employed in their crafting have not been always published. Our main goal is to describe a thorough methodology to elaborate a 3D reconstruction of a caudal vertebral series from different sized specimens and discuss the main caveats.

Methods

Here we propose a hypothetical reconstruction of the tail of the titanosaurian sauropod Lirainosaurus astibiae to assess its neutral posture and range of motion thanks to a virtual 3D skeletal mount. We use 3D models obtained by photogrammetry of the vertebrae. 3D specimens allow an easy access, study and visualization of the specimens minimizing manipulation of fragile and/or heavy originals, greatly helping in their conservation. A step-by-step protocol on virtual retrodeformation for vertebral series and the criteria employed are devised. The retrodeformed 3D models are articulated and analyzed on CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, allowing an accurate study of skeletal ranges of motion.

Results

The resulting virtual tail has a osteological neutral pose similar to other titanosaurs. Slightly different vertebral morphologies hint at a slight regionalization of the tail in terms of motion.

Conclusions

The proposed methodology will help reconstructing the incomplete or poorly preserved tails of other sauropod taxa, being a helpful tool to compare the biomechanics within this clade.

Resumen

Propósito

Los esqueletos casi completos de un único individuo de dinosaurio son escasos. La mayoría de hallazgos corresponden a individuos incompletos de distinto tamaño y estadío ontogenético. Aunque se han creado numerosos modelos de esqueletos (dibujos 2D, montajes a tamaño real o esqueletos virtuales) mediante varios individuos, las técnicas empleadas no han sido siempre completamente detalladas en publicaciones. Nuestro propósito es describir una metodología detallada para elaborar una reconstrucción 3D del esqueleto caudal mediante ejemplares de diferente tamaño y discutir las principales precauciones a tener en cuenta.

Métodos

Proponemos una reconstrucción hipotética de la cola del saurópodo titanosaurio Lirainosaurus astibiae para analizar su postura neutra y rango de movimiento mediante un montaje virtual del esqueleto. Para ello hemos utilizado modelos 3D obtenidos mediante fotogrametría de las vértebras. Estos ejemplares permiten una visualización y estudio más sencillos, minimizando la manipulación de los originales, que suelen ser frágiles y/o pesados, ayudando en su conservación. Se proponen un protocolo pormenorizado y criterios para retrodeformar una serie vertebral. Los modelos 3D retrodeformados se articulan y analizan en software CAD (Diseño Asistido por Ordenador), permitiendo un estudio preciso del rango de movimiento.

Results

La cola virtual tiene una postura osteológica neutra similar a otros titanosaurios. Ligeras diferencias en la morfología vertebral sugieren una pequeña regionalización en la cola en términos de movimiento.

Conclusiones

La metodología propuesta será de ayuda para reconstruir colas incompletas o mal preservadas de otros saurópodos, siendo una herramienta de gran ayuda para comparar la biomecánica entre distintos miembros de este clado.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank J. Alonso and J.C. Corral (Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Vitoria, Spain) and X. Pereda Suberbiola (Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Spain) for the access to the Lirainosaurus astibiae specimens; and H. Mallison (Museum für Naturkunde of Berlin, Germany) for his inestimable help in the photogrammetry and biomechanical part of this work. We would like to thank Ben Miller for sharing his knowledge on classical mounts and bibliography. P. Falkingham (Liverpool John Moores University, UK) and J. Fortuny (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain) are also acknowledged for their useful comments, which have helped improving this manuscript. DV is recipient of a predoctoral FPI UNED Grant (Ref. 0531174813 Y0SC001170). VDD has a postdoctoral fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung to develop a project about the biomechanics of the tail of several taxa within Neosauropoda, by doing photogrammetry and 3D modeling.

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

    Daniel Vidal

  2. Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany

    Verónica Díez Díaz

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  1. Daniel Vidal
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Correspondence to Daniel Vidal.

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Vidal, D., Díez Díaz, V. Reconstructing hypothetical sauropod tails by means of 3D digitization: Lirainosaurus astibiae as case study. J Iber Geol 43, 293–305 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-017-0022-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-017-0022-6

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