Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).

<h4>Background</h4>Andalgalornis steulleti from the upper Miocene-lower Pliocene (≈6 million years ago) of Argentina is a medium-sized patagornithine phorusrhacid. It was a member of the predominantly South American radiation of 'terror birds' (Phorusrhacidae) that were apex pr...

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Main Authors: Claudia P Tambussi, Ricardo de Mendoza, Federico J Degrange, Mariana B Picasso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/22662194/?tool=EBI
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spelling doaj-af95898d957d4201a6cc8c38e5574a052021-03-04T00:42:52ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032012-01-0175e3770110.1371/journal.pone.0037701Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).Claudia P TambussiRicardo de MendozaFederico J DegrangeMariana B Picasso<h4>Background</h4>Andalgalornis steulleti from the upper Miocene-lower Pliocene (≈6 million years ago) of Argentina is a medium-sized patagornithine phorusrhacid. It was a member of the predominantly South American radiation of 'terror birds' (Phorusrhacidae) that were apex predators throughout much of the Cenozoic. A previous biomechanical study suggests that the skull would be prepared to make sudden movements in the sagittal plane to subdue prey.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>We analyze the flexion patterns of the neck of Andalgalornis based on the neck vertebrae morphology and biometrics. The transitional cervical vertebrae 5th and 9th clearly separate regions 1-2 and 2-3 respectively. Bifurcate neural spines are developed in the cervical vertebrae 7th to 12th suggesting the presence of a very intricate ligamentary system and of a very well developed epaxial musculature. The presence of the lig. elasticum interespinale is inferred. High neural spines of R3 suggest that this region concentrates the major stresses during downstrokes.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>The musculoskeletal system of Andalgalornis seems to be prepared (1) to support a particularly big head during normal stance, and (2) to help the neck (and the head) rising after the maximum ventroflexion during a strike. The study herein is the first interpretation of the potential performance of the neck of Andalgalornis in its entirety and we considered this an important starting point to understand and reconstruct the flexion pattern of other phorusrhacids from which the neck is unknown.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/22662194/?tool=EBI
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Claudia P Tambussi
Ricardo de Mendoza
Federico J Degrange
Mariana B Picasso
spellingShingle Claudia P Tambussi
Ricardo de Mendoza
Federico J Degrange
Mariana B Picasso
Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).
PLoS ONE
author_facet Claudia P Tambussi
Ricardo de Mendoza
Federico J Degrange
Mariana B Picasso
author_sort Claudia P Tambussi
title Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).
title_short Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).
title_full Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).
title_fullStr Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).
title_full_unstemmed Flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae).
title_sort flexibility along the neck of the neogene terror bird andalgalornis steulleti (aves phorusrhacidae).
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS ONE
issn 1932-6203
publishDate 2012-01-01
description <h4>Background</h4>Andalgalornis steulleti from the upper Miocene-lower Pliocene (≈6 million years ago) of Argentina is a medium-sized patagornithine phorusrhacid. It was a member of the predominantly South American radiation of 'terror birds' (Phorusrhacidae) that were apex predators throughout much of the Cenozoic. A previous biomechanical study suggests that the skull would be prepared to make sudden movements in the sagittal plane to subdue prey.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>We analyze the flexion patterns of the neck of Andalgalornis based on the neck vertebrae morphology and biometrics. The transitional cervical vertebrae 5th and 9th clearly separate regions 1-2 and 2-3 respectively. Bifurcate neural spines are developed in the cervical vertebrae 7th to 12th suggesting the presence of a very intricate ligamentary system and of a very well developed epaxial musculature. The presence of the lig. elasticum interespinale is inferred. High neural spines of R3 suggest that this region concentrates the major stresses during downstrokes.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>The musculoskeletal system of Andalgalornis seems to be prepared (1) to support a particularly big head during normal stance, and (2) to help the neck (and the head) rising after the maximum ventroflexion during a strike. The study herein is the first interpretation of the potential performance of the neck of Andalgalornis in its entirety and we considered this an important starting point to understand and reconstruct the flexion pattern of other phorusrhacids from which the neck is unknown.
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/22662194/?tool=EBI
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