Constraining the body mass range of Anzu wyliei using volumetric and extant-scaling methods

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18435/vamp29375

Keywords:

Mass estimation, body density, respiratory pneumaticity, Anzu, Caenagnathidae, Oviraptorosauria, Dinosauria

Abstract

The ability to accurately and reliably estimate body mass of extinct taxa is a vital tool for interpreting the physiology and even behavior of long-dead animals. For this reason, paleontologists have developed many possible methods of estimating the body mass of extinct animals, with varying degrees of success. These methods can be divided into two main categories: volumetric mass estimation and extant scaling methods. Each has advantages and disadvantages, which is why, when possible, it is best to perform both, and compare the results to determine what is most plausible within reason. Here we employ volumetric mass estimation (VME) to calculate an approximate body mass for previously described specimens of Anzu wyliei from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. We also use extant scaling methods to try to obtain a reliable mass estimate for this taxon.  In addition, we present the first digital life restoration and convex hull of the dinosaur Anzu wyliei used for mass estimation purposes. We found that the volumetric mass estimation using our  digital model was 216-280kg, which falls within the range predicted by extant scaling techniques, while the mass estimate using minimum convex hulls was below the predicted range, between 159-199 kg . The VME method for Anzu wyliei strongly affirms the predictive utility of extant-based scaling. However, volumetric mass estimates are likely more precise because the models are based on comprehensive specimen anatomy rather than regressions of a phylogenetically comprehensive but disparate sample.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Eric Snively, Oklahoma State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine-Cherokee Nation

ASO PROF, Anatomy and Cell Biology

Patrick O'Connor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio State Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Professor of Anatomical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio State Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

References

Alexander, R.M., 1985. Mechanics of posture and gait of some large dinosaurs. Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 83, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1985.tb00871.x

Anderson, J.F., Hall‐Martin, A., Russell, D.A., 1985. Long-bone circumference and weight in mammals, birds and dinosaurs. J. Zool. 207, 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1985.tb04915.x

Bates, K.T., Manning, P.L., Hodgetts, D., Sellers, W.I., 2009. Estimating mass properties of dinosaurs using laser imaging and 3D computer modelling. PLOS ONE 4, e4532. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0004532

Benson, R.B.J., Butler, R.J., Carrano, M.T., O’Connor, P.M., 2012. Air-filled postcranial bones in theropod dinosaurs: physiological implications and the ’reptile’-bird transition. Biol. Rev. Camb. Philos. Soc. 87, 168–193. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-185X.2011.00190.x

Brassey, C.A., Sellers, W.I., 2014. Scaling of convex hull volume to body mass in modern primates, non-primate mammals and birds. PLOS ONE 9, e91691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091691

Campione, N.E., Evans, D.C., 2020. The accuracy and precision of body mass estimation in non-avian dinosaurs. Biol. Rev. 95, 1759–1797. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12638

Campione, N.E., Evans, D.C., 2012. A universal scaling relationship between body mass and proximal limb bone dimensions in quadrupedal terrestrial tetrapods. BMC Biol. 10, 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7007-10-60

Campione, N.E., Evans, D.C., Brown, C.M., Carrano, M.T., 2014. Body mass estimation in non-avian bipeds using a theoretical conversion to quadruped stylopodial proportions. Methods Ecol. Evol. 5, 913–923. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12226

Christiansen, P., Fariña, R. a., 2004. Mass prediction in theropod dinosaurs. Hist. Biol. 16, 85–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912960412331284313

Colbert, E.H., 1962. The weights of dinosaurs. Am. Mus. Novit. 2076, 1–16.

Gregory, W.K., 1905. The weight of the Brontosaurus. Science 22, 572–572. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.22.566.572

Gunga, H.-C., Suthau, T., Bellmann, A., Stoinski, S., Friedrich, A., Trippel, T., Kirsch, K., Hellwich, O., 2008. A new body mass estimation of Brachiosaurus brancai Janensch, 1914 mounted and exhibited at the Museum of Natural History (Berlin, Germany). Foss. Rec. 11, 33–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmng.200700011

Gunga, H.-Chr., Kirsch, K.A., Baartz, F., Röcker, L., Heinrich, W.-D., Lisowski, W., Wiedemann, A., Albertz, J., 1995. New data on the dimensions of Brachiosaurus brancai and their physiological implications. Naturwissenschaften 82, 190–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01143194

Henderson, D.M., 1999. Estimating the masses and centers of mass of extinct animals by 3-D mathematical slicing. Paleobiology 25, 88–106.

Hutchinson, J.R., Bates, K.T., Molnar, J., Allen, V., Makovicky, P.J., 2011. A computational analysis of limb and body dimensions in Tyrannosaurus rex with implications for locomotion, ontogeny, and growth. PLoS ONE 6, e26037. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026037

Hutchinson, J.R., Ng-Thow-Hing, V., Anderson, F.C., 2007. A 3D interactive method for estimating body segmental parameters in animals: application to the turning and running performance of Tyrannosaurus rex. J. Theor. Biol. 246, 660–680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2007.01.023

Lamanna, M.C., Sues, H.-D., Schachner, E.R., Lyson, T.R., 2014. A new large-bodied oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur from the latest Cretaceous of western North America. PLoS One 9, e92022.

Larramendi, A., Paul, G.S., Hsu, S., 2020. A review and reappraisal of the specific gravities of present and past multicellular organisms, with an emphasis on tetrapods. Anat. Rec. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24574

Martin-Silverstone, E., Vincze, O., McCann, R., Jonsson, C.H.W., Palmer, C., Kaiser, G., Dyke, G., 2015. Exploring the relationship between skeletal mass and total body mass in birds. PLOS ONE 10, e0141794. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0141794

O’Connor, P.M., 2006. Postcranial pneumaticity: an evaluation of soft-tissue influences on the postcranial skeleton and the reconstruction of pulmonary anatomy in archosaurs. J. Morphol. 267, 1199–1226.

Prange, H.D., Anderson, J.F., Rahn, H., 1979. Scaling of skeletal mass to body mass in birds and mammals. Am. Nat. 113, 103–122. https://doi.org/10.1086/283367

Romano, M., Manucci, F., Rubidge, B., Van den Brandt, M.J., 2021. Volumetric Body Mass Estimate and in vivo Reconstruction of the Russian Pareiasaur Scutosaurus karpinskii. Front. Ecol. Evol. 9, 386. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.692035

Sellers, W.I., Hepworth-Bell, J., Falkingham, P.L., Bates, K.T., Brassey, C.A., Egerton, V.M., Manning, P.L., 2012. Minimum convex hull mass estimations of complete mounted skeletons. Biol. Lett. 8, 842–845. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2012.0263

Sereno, P.C., Martinez, R.N., Wilson, J.A., Varricchio, D.J., Alcober, O.A., Larsson, H.C.E., 2008. Evidence for avian intrathoracic air sacs in a new predatory dinosaur from Argentina. PLoS ONE 3, e3303. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003303

Snively, E., O’Brien, H., Henderson, D.M., Mallison, H., Surring, L.A., Burns, M.E., Jr, T.R.H., Russell, A.P., Witmer, L.M., Currie, P.J., Hartman, S.A., Cotton, J.R., 2019. Lower rotational inertia and larger leg muscles indicate more rapid turns in tyrannosaurids than in other large theropods. PeerJ 7, e6432. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6432

Strotz, L.C., Saupe, E.E., Kimmig, J., Lieberman, B.S., 2018. Metabolic rates, climate and macroevolution: a case study using Neogene molluscs. Proc. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 285, 20181292. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1292

Wedel, M.J., 2006. Origin of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in dinosaurs. Integr. Zool. 1, 80–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-4877.2006.00019.x

Zanno, L.E., Makovicky, P.J., 2013. No evidence for directional evolution of body mass in herbivorous theropod dinosaurs. Proc. Biol. Sci. 280, 1–8.

Downloads

Published

2021-09-28

How to Cite

Atkins-Weltman, K., Snively, E., & O'Connor, P. (2021). Constraining the body mass range of Anzu wyliei using volumetric and extant-scaling methods. Vertebrate Anatomy Morphology Palaeontology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.18435/vamp29375

Issue

Section

Articles