Morphological disparity and structural performance of the dromaeosaurid skull informs ecology and evolutionary history
Abstract
Non-avialan theropod dinosaurs had diverse ecologies and varied skull morphologies. Previous studies of theropod cranial morphology mostly focused on higher-level taxa or characteristics associated with herbivory. To better understand morphological disparity and function within carnivorous theropod families, here we focus on the Dromaeosauridae, `raptors' traditionally seen as agile carnivorous hunters.
- Publication:
-
BMC Ecology and Evolution
- Pub Date:
- April 2024
- DOI:
- 10.1186/s12862-024-02222-5
- Bibcode:
- 2024BMCEE..24...39T
- Keywords:
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- dromaeosaurid;
- morphological disparity;
- structural performance;
- skull;
- theropod ecology and evolutionary history