Orobates
Orobates Temporal range: Cisuralian
| |
---|---|
Holotype specimen | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Order: | †Diadectomorpha |
Family: | †Diadectidae |
Genus: | †Orobates Berman et al., 2004 |
Type species | |
Orobates pabsti Berman et al., 2004
|
Orobates is an
Locomotion
The trace fossil species Ichniotherium sphaerodactylum, from Bromacker in Germany, has been attributed to Orobates.[3] A study in 2015 found that the genus was characterized by a long body and tail, with fairly short legs and a short skull compared to the more derived Diadectes. This indicates Orobates was less specialised for long treks compared to Diadectes. A three-dimensional digital reconstruction of the holotype specimen allowed further analysis of the postcranium.[2] An analysis of the mobility of the hip joint of the reconstructed holotype indicated that its limb function was similar to that of modern salamanders.[2]
A detailed
The biomechanical data of the locomotion of the extant tetrapods and the digital models of Orobates' holotype and fossilized trackways were then used to create a dynamic simulation. It allowed the researchers to account for physical factors like gravity, friction, and balance. The simulation was then validated under real-world conditions with a life-sized robot called OroBOT. The researchers tested 512 different gaits and found that Orobates moved most like a caiman. It had a relatively erect posture and walked with a slight side-to-side motion.[4][5][6] A follow-up study focused on the muscle strains occurring within the muscles of the hindlimb in modelled strides at different postures.[7] While results remained inconclusive towards favouring a single posture during locomotion, the overall results did not contradict the previous study based on OroBOT.
References
- ^ S2CID 86621953.
- ^ PMID 26355297.
- S2CID 131256847.
- ^ S2CID 58014495.
- S2CID 58579101. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Wong, K. (17 January 2019). "RoboFossil Reveals Locomotion of Beast from Deep Time". Scientific American. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ISSN 2296-701X.