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Dear List-Members
In the 28 march 2002 issue of the journal "Nature" there is an article by
Frazzetta T.H. and Kardong K.V. titled _Prey attack by a large Theropod
Dinosaur_ in which the authors explain the prey capture strategies in
Theropods Dinosaurs on the basis of biomechanical features of: teeth structure,
bite force produced, and diet. Frazzetta et. al. investigate such structure
and function in Allosaurus fragilis and have found that the skull was
designed to bear more stress than could be generate by a biting. Frazzetta et.
al. concluded that Allosaurus fragilis delivered a chop and slash
"hatchet" blow to its prey, which approached with its mouth wide open before
driving its upper teeth downswards. For Frazzetta et. al. this mode of predation
is unlikely and the result of their analysis are better explained by the
biomechanical demands of prey capture.
In the same issue there is the respons to the Frazzetta et al. article
edited by Rayfield E.J. Norman D.B. and UpChurch P. in which the authors show
that the cranial strength in Allosaurus fragilis exceeded the stresses
generated by its jaw closing muscles and suggest that this disparity might
explained if Allosaurus fragilis adopted a slash and tear mode of
attack.
By
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Alessandro Marisa Via Achille Grandi n°18 Rovereto (TN) ITALY Tel: 039-0464-434658 Email: amaris@tin.it ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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