A very novel study by Chinese researchers provides insight into the hunting and survival strategies of an apex predator, the Allosaurus, in the Jurassic period. The study, conducted by the China University of Geosciences and the Guangzhou Grandview Museum of Natural Science, mainly focused on forearm motions and the capability to recover from shoulder injuries.
The study reused advanced technology like using laser scanning to create replicas of the 3D model fossils of Allosaurus that were published in Historical Biology. Such a method allowed analyzation of the range and biomechanical structure of the specimen without any damage to the specimen.
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Findings demonstrate fascinating mobility in the forelimbs of Allosaurus, where the shoulder and elbow had an extension of more than 70 degrees, with finger joints flexing towards a 90-degree range. Thus, these movements would have been closely associated with prey capture, although reduced shoulder use indicates that the prey was theoretically struck by the mouth first, with the forelimb being used to hook or grasp.
Allosaurus is also resilient to injury as its shoulders recover to withstand conditions such as searching for scarce foods or altered hunting behavior.
The present study serves to further understand the physical capabilities of Allosaurus and its status as one of the leading predators around the Last Jurassic 155 to 145 million years ago.