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Quadrupedal Mechanics - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 10:41, 1 May 2013
, 10:41, 1 May 2013no edit summary
The study of bones, osteology, is often the only opportunity to deduce the natural history of an animal long since dead. The oldest quadruped bone fossils are 350 million years old (Fig. 3.1). The distribution and density of mineralised tissue indicate the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on a bone in life, no matter how long ago these forces were applied.
The study of bones, osteology, is often the only opportunity to deduce the natural history of an animal long since dead. The oldest quadruped bone fossils are 350 million years old (Fig. 3.1). The distribution and density of mineralised tissue indicate the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on a bone in life, no matter how long ago these forces were applied.
[[File:QMFig 3.1.jpg|thumb|Fig.3.1 Ichthyostega]]
:::::'''Fig.3.1 Ichthyostega'''
:::::'''Fig.3.1 Ichthyostega'''
:::::The oldest known tetrapod is a late Devonian amphibian that measured about 1 m in length.
:::::The oldest known tetrapod is a late Devonian amphibian that measured about 1 m in length.