CAD assessment of the posture and range of motion of Kentrosaurus aethiopicus Hennig 1915

Abstract

A computer aided design analysis using high-resolution laser scans of the bones of the stegosaur Kentrosaurus aethiopicus Hennig 1915 from the Late Jurassic Tendaguru Formation indicates that in the habitual walking pose the forelimbs were probably held erect, and that strong humeral flexion and abduction mainly occurred in a defensive stance. Rapid gaits with unsupported phases could not be used. The neck allowed sufficient lateral flexion to guarantee good sight in all directions including posteriorly. The tail covered an arch of roughly 180° and had sufficient range to be used as a weapon. Possibly, the animal could accomplish tail blows against specific targets in sight. Also, a tripodal pose is suggested to have been possible, roughly doubling the maximum vertical feeding height of Kentrosaurus. © 2010 Swiss Geological Society.