·
T. rex could not run due to its size and weight
·
T. rex was unable to pursue prey at high speeds
·
Even walking speed was limited due its impact on the skeleton
·
This changes the way we have to think about the way T. rex behaved
It is a classic chase scene in modern
cinematic history. The image of a rampant Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) chasing
Jeff Goldblum as he sits injured in the back of a 4x4 vehicle in Stephen
Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park.
But could a T. rex actually move that fast,
or even run at all?
New research from the University of
Manchester says the sheer size and weight of T. rex means it couldn’t move at
high speed, as its leg-bones would have buckled under its own weight load.
The research, in collaboration with the N8
High Performance Computer (NPC) research partnership, looks extensively into
the gait and biomechanics of the world’s most famous Dinosaur and, using the
latest in high performance computing technology, has created a new simulation
model to test its findings.
Led by Prof William Sellers from the School
of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the researchers have combined two separate
biomechanical techniques, known as multibody dynamic analysis (MBDA) and
skeletal stress analysis (SSA), into one simulation model, creating a new more
accurate one.
Prof Sellers says the results demonstrate any
running gaits for T. rex would probably lead to ‘unacceptably high skeletal
loads’. Meaning, in layman’s terms, any running would simply break the
dinosaur’s legs. This contradicts the running speeds predicted by previous biomechanical
models which can suggest anything up to 45mph.
He explains: ‘the running ability of T. rex
and other similarly giant dinosaurs has been intensely debated amongst
palaeontologist for decades. However, different studies using differing
methodologies have produced a very wide range of top speed estimates and we say
there is a need to develop techniques that can improve these predictions.
‘Here we present a new approach that
combines two separate biomechanical techniques to demonstrate that true running
gaits would probably lead to unacceptably high skeletal loads in T. rex.’
The results also mean that the T. rex
couldn’t pursue its prey in a high-speed chase as previously thought. He added:
‘Being limited to walking speeds contradicts arguments of high-speed pursuit
predation for the largest bipedal dinosaurs like T. rex and demonstrates the
power of Multiphysics approaches for locomotor reconstructions of extinct
animals.’
Although the
research focuses on the T. rex, the findings also means running at high speeds were
probably highly unlikely for other large two-legged dinosaurs such as, Giganotosaurus,
Mapusaurus, and Acrocanthosaurus.
Dr Sellers adds: ‘Tyrannosaurus
rex is one of the largest bipedal animals to have ever evolved and walked the
earth. So it represents a useful model for understanding the biomechanics of
other similar animals. Therefore, these finding may well translate to other
long-limbed giants so but this idea should be tested alongside experimental
validation work on other bipedal species.’
This isn’t the first time MBDA and SSA have
been used to measure the walking and running ability of dinosaurs. However, it
is the first time they have been used together to literally create a more
accurate picture.
Dr Sellers explains: ‘Our previous
simulations of theropod bipedal running did not directly consider the skeletal
loading but these new simulations do calculate all the forces in the limb bones
and these can be used directly to estimate the bone loading on impact.’
The fact that T.
rex was restricted to walking also supports arguments of a less athletic
lifestyle. This means the results could change the way we view the effects of
how the size and shape of T. rex and other large bipedal dinosaurs alters as
they grow. Previous studies have
suggested the torso became longer and heavier whereas the limbs became
proportionately shorter and lighter as T. rex grew. These changes would mean
that the running abilities of T. rex would also change as the animal grew with
adults likely to be less agile than younger individuals.
-->
But Dr Sellers
says these new findings show this probably wasn’t the case and we should apply
this new model even wider: ‘It would be very valuable not only to investigate the
gait of other species, but also apply our multiphysics approach to different
growth stages within that species.’
You can download this paper for FREE from PeerJ, click this LINK
