@article { ref5, title = {A three-dimensionally preserved sauropod manus impression from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal: Implications for sauropod manus shape and locomotor mechanics}, journal = {Kaupia}, volume = {14}, year = {2005}, pages = {47-52}, abstract = {

Sauropods were the largest animals ever to walk the earth, and evolved several specializations in their limbs in order to support their body mass. Their legs became columnar and their manual digits became reduced and encapsulated in tissue to form a single weight-bearing unit in the derived sauropods. A new three-dimensionally preserved cast of a sauropod manus, found in the Upper Jurassic Lourinh\&$\#$227; Formation, Portugal, demonstrates not only the shape, but also the actual movements of the sauropod manus during the stride. The manus cast is 32 cm deep, and show the manus to be hoof-shaped and lacking any impressions of individual digits, except for digit I, the pollex. Well preserved striations from skin on the sides of the cast show that the manus was covered in rough, tubercular skin. The width of the manus cast is consistent from top to bottom, demonstrating that the manus was brought down and lifted vertically before any parasaggital movement of the upper limb took place.

}, keywords = {Formation, Late Jurassic, Lourinh\&$\#$227, Tracks}, url = {https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1GV2y0l51QRKmPiUkK_QIeDq2dvUj4DsjgD8XhYWDBdXIalpF1hnKXpkOZ1si\&$\#$38;hl=en}, attachments = {https://docentes.fct.unl.pt/sites/default/files/omateus/files/milan_et_al_mateus_2005_-_3d_sauropod_manus_track_l_j_portugal.pdf}, author = {Milan, J and P Christiansen and O. Mateus} }