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Origin of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in dinosaurs

  1. Mathew J. WEDEL*

Article first published online: 18 JUL 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2006.00019.x

Issue

Integrative Zoology

Integrative Zoology

Volume 1, Issue 2, pages 80–85, June 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

WEDEL, M. J. (2006), Origin of postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in dinosaurs. Integrative Zoology, 1: 80–85. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2006.00019.x

Author Information

  1. University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley, California, USA

*Correspondence: Mathew J. Wedel, University of California Museum of Paleontology, 1101 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720-4780, USA. Email: sauropod@berkeley.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 JUL 2006
  2. Article first published online: 18 JUL 2006

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Keywords:

  • dinosaur;
  • pneumaticity;
  • sauropodomorph;
  • theropod;
  • Triassic

Abstract

The sauropodomorph Thecodontosaurus caducus and theropod Coelophysis bauri are the earliest known dinosaurs with postcranial skeletal pneumaticity. In both taxa, postcranial pneumatic features are confined to the cervical vertebrae. This distribution of pneumaticity in the skeleton is most consistent with pneumatization by diverticula of cervical air sacs similar to those of birds. Other hypotheses, including pneumatization by diverticula of the lungs, larynx and trachea, or cranial air spaces, are less well-supported.

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