Thomas R. Diehl
Pulling Through — Possible Aquatic Locomotion in Spinosauridae
Paleontology PaperThis book has been retracted and is being reworked to hopefully become a proper paper in a peer-reviewd publication.
The enlarged thumb claw seen in most spinosaurids has traditionally been interpreted in many ways, the most common current interpretation seemingly being that of a fishing instrument. The author of this text doubts this is a feasible use given the claw's size and shape. Instead, he proposes the idea of the claw being a locomotive organ in shallow water, its bearers using it by anchoring the claws in the ground and then pulling themselves forward with their unusually developed arms.
September 2014 - June 2025
