Biology of the Sauropod Dinosaurs: The Evolution of Gigantism

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We present here the cover application for the 3rd funding period of the net-based Research Unit 533. Third funding periods are not the rule in research units but can be granted if a unit has been especially successful in that new and exciting research questions or opportunities have opened up. In our case, it is the development of the first coherent hypothesis explaining the unique gigantism in sauropod dinosaurs, the FOR 533 gigantism hypothesis. The primary aim of the 3rd funding period is to test this hypothesis by testing its component hypotheses in the individual projects. Passing these tests will elevate the hypothesis to a theory. Beginning in the third funding period and in preparation for a future coordinated DFG or EU project, we intend to further develop our hypothesis into a theory on gigantism and the upper limits of body size in terrestrial vertebrates in general. This is an especially timely endevor because of the possible paradigm shift in evolutionary ecology towards the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE). Our research thus will bring paleontology closer to the mainstream of evolutionary biology in Germany and elsewhere.The application consists of the central project and a total of 11 projects. Due to the training of highly qualified doctoral students in the 2nd funding period and the time limit of two years for the 3rd funding period, we mainly apply for postdoctoral positions and travel funds.