Bony cranial ornamentation linked to rapid evolution of gigantic theropod dinosaurs.

ABSTRACT: Exaggerated cranial structures such as crests and horns, hereafter referred to collectively as ornaments, are pervasive across animal species. These structures perform vital roles in visual communication and physical interactions within and between species. Yet the origin and influence of ornamentation on speciation and ecology across macroevolutionary time scales remains poorly understood for virtually all animals. Here, we explore correlative evolution of osseous cranial ornaments with large body size in theropod dinosaurs using a phylogenetic comparative framework. We find that body size evolved directionally toward phyletic giantism an order of magnitude faster in theropod species possessing ornaments compared with unadorned lineages. In addition, we find a body mass threshold below wh

SUBMITTER: Gates TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5052652 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature