Acrocanthosaurus Inside and Out

Paleontologist Kenneth Carpenter has written a book called "Acrocanthosaurus Inside and Out" that reconstructs the appearance, biology, and behavior of this fascinating dinosaur. He focuses on one large carnivorous dinosaur, Acrocanthosaurus (“high-spined lizard”), and pairs scholarly findings with more than 75 color illustrations to offer the most complete portrait possible of this dinosaur. By studying the joints, bumps, ridges, and scars on the bones, scientists can learn about Acro's biological makeup, movements, and habits. CT scans allow them to peer into the braincase, and microscopes provide a cross-sectional view of the bones. Scientific evidence beyond the fossils provides avenues for further inquiry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

Paleontologists have been able to piece together the lives of ancient dinosaurs, even when only partial skeletons remain, by employing a range of scientific techniques. One such dinosaur is Acrocanthosaurus, a large carnivorous species that roamed what is now the south-central United States during the Early Cretaceous period, around 110 to 115 million years ago. In his book "Acrocanthosaurus Inside and Out," paleontologist Kenneth Carpenter takes readers on a journey to reconstruct the appearance, biology, and behavior of this fascinating dinosaur.

Carpenter focuses on one of the most complete Acrocanthosaurus skeletons ever found, nicknamed "Fran." Through detailed descriptions and more than 75 color illustrations, Carpenter explains the techniques used to study Acrocanthosaurus. These techniques include studies of joints, which reveal the range of possible motion, as well as bumps, ridges, and scars on the bones, which indicate where muscles, ligaments, and tendons attached. CT scans allow scientists to peer into the braincase of Acrocanthosaurus, while microscopes provide a cross-sectional view of the bones.

These findings provide valuable insights into the biological makeup, movements, and habits of Acrocanthosaurus. For example, studies of the joints reveal that Acro was capable of a wide range of motion, including twisting and turning. Bumps, ridges, and scars on the bones suggest that Acro had powerful muscles and tendons that allowed it to stalk and capture its prey. CT scans also reveal the structure of Acrocanthosaurus' braincase, which suggests that it was well-adapted for hunting and survival.

In addition to the scientific evidence, Carpenter also considers the sedimentary rock encasing Fran's bones, as well as the knowledge of Acrocanthosaurus' distant relatives, such as crocodilians and birds. These findings offer clues about Acrocanthosaurus' environment, heart and other soft tissues, and the evolution of its huge spines.

Carpenter distills all this information into a clear, accessible, and engaging account that will appeal to general readers and scholars alike. "Acrocanthosaurus Inside and Out" is a valuable addition to the field of paleontology and provides a deeper understanding of the lives of ancient dinosaurs.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806191546