DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Osteological, Myological, and Phylogenetic Trends of Forelimb Reduction in Theropod Dinosaurs

兽脚亚目恐龙（两足食肉恐龙）的前肢在几个不同的谱系中已经大大减少，每次都有截然不同的结果。退化前肢的功能、发育和进化历史仍然是一个谜。在这个项目中，详细分析的形状和骨骼特征（骨学）和肌肉组织的关键兽脚类物种的武器将允许识别的最重要的功能，在进化的高度减少前肢和如何减少前肢被使用随着时间的推移。这些信息将被用来研究整个兽脚亚目谱系中前肢的骨骼学、肌肉组织和整体大小的趋势。这项研究为教育公众关于退化背景下的进化和肢体减少的过渡阶段（在许多脊椎动物群体中发生的事情）提供了一个引人入胜的背景。此外，该项目将促进对兽脚类前肢基本功能结构的理解，并允许进一步研究前肢功能，如抓握，捕食和飞行的起源（和丧失）。这项研究产生的恐龙前肢进化和功能的新见解将进一步用于博物馆展示和教育电视节目的兽脚亚目恐龙的重建。

The forelimbs of theropods (bipedal, predatory dinosaurs) have become greatly reduced in several different lineages, each time with vastly different results. The function, development, and evolutionary history of reduced forelimbs remains a mystery. In this project, detailed analysis of the shape and bony features (osteology) and the musculature of the arms of key theropod species will allow for identification of the most important features in the evolution of highly reduced forelimbs and how reduced forelimbs were used over time. This information will be used to examine the trends in the osteology, musculature, and overall size of the forelimb across the entire theropod family tree.This study provides an engaging backdrop for educating the public about evolution in the context of vestigialization and the transitional stages of limb reduction (something that has happened in numerous vertebrate groups). Moreover, this project will advance understanding of the fundamental functional structure of the theropod forelimb and allows for further studies of forelimb function, such as grasping, predation, and the origin (and loss) of flight. New insights into the evolution and function of dinosaur forelimbs generated by this study will be further used for reconstructions of theropods for museum displays and educational television programs.