Palaeobiology (inlcuding anatomy, biomechanics, interrelationships, palaeobiogeography, palaeoecology) of theorpod dinosaurs

兽脚类恐龙的古生物学（包括解剖学、生物力学、相互关系、古生物地理学、古生态学）

• 批准号: 203091-2006
• 负责人: Currie, Philip
• 金额: $ 4.16万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2007-01-01 至 2008-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=361278
• 关键词: Palaeobiology; inlcuding; anatomy; biomechanics; interrelationships

Although theropods (carnivorous dinosaurs) comprise only a small fraction of known dinosaurs. they are one of the most significant and interesting groups of dinosaurs. In recent years, theropods with feathers have been discovered in northeastern China, and it is now known that they represent the closest relatives of living birds.  Other specimens have been found on top of their nests, or even with eggs preserved in the birthing canal of the mother. The excavation of several theropod bonebeds has even revealed aspects of social behaviour in carnivores like Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus and Tarbosaurus. This project will examine various aspects of theropod classification and biology, including their relationships to one another, how components of their bodies moved, their relationships with birds, and their relationships to their environment. It will provide new information on the skeletons, diversity, and distribution of theropods of western Canada and other parts of the globe. The project will enhance our knowledge of dinosaur migration patterns between North America and Asia because Asian dinosaurs represent some of North American dinosaurs' closest relatives during the Late Cretaceous. A major goal of the project is to clarify which particular group of theropods is the closest relatives of modern birds. Such a project will bring greater exposure to the field of vertebrate paleontology and is expected to increase both public and scientific interest. It is hoped that the results will bring much needed sponsorship to support further research in this fascinating field. The project will benefit Canada in that it will create international recognition for a very important aspect of our country's natural heritage.

虽然兽脚亚目（食肉恐龙）只占已知恐龙的一小部分。它们是最重要和最有趣的恐龙类群之一。近年来，在中国东北发现了有羽毛的兽脚亚目恐龙，现在人们知道它们代表了现存鸟类的近亲。其他标本也在它们的巢顶上发现，甚至在母亲的分娩管道中发现了保存的蛋。对几个兽脚亚目骨床的挖掘甚至揭示了艾伯塔龙、达斯雷特龙和特暴龙等食肉动物的社会行为。该项目将研究兽脚类动物分类和生物学的各个方面，包括它们之间的关系，它们身体的组成部分如何移动，它们与鸟类的关系以及它们与环境的关系。它将为加拿大西部和地球仪其他地区的兽脚亚目恐龙的骨骼、多样性和分布提供新的信息。该项目将增进我们对北美和亚洲之间恐龙迁移模式的了解，因为亚洲恐龙代表了晚白垩世期间北美恐龙的一些近亲。该项目的一个主要目标是澄清哪一组特定的兽脚亚目恐龙是现代鸟类的近亲。这样一个项目将使人们更多地了解脊椎动物古生物学领域，并有望提高公众和科学界的兴趣。希望这些结果将带来急需的赞助，以支持这一迷人领域的进一步研究。该项目将使加拿大受益，因为它将使我国自然遗产的一个非常重要的方面得到国际承认。