Variation in a Population of Theropoda (Dinosauria):Allosaurusfrom the Cleveland-Lloyd Quarry (Upper Jurassic), Utah, USA

2010/12/01 by Kenneth Carpenter · 3 citations
Mathematics · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Morphological variations and asymmetry #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology

paper · doi:10.2517/1342-8144-14.4.250

openalex publication_date 2010/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22

Abstract

Ontogenetic and individual variation in a population of the large theropod Allosaurus cf. A. fragilis was examined using the Björk superimposition method on the premaxillae, maxillae, lachrymal, postorbital, and jugal. This method allows utilization of incomplete specimens without having to estimate (fabricate) missing data. In addition, it visually shows regions of ontogenetic change and variation. Comparison of these results with other morphometric studies of the same specimens show that most allometric trends are not supported. Instead, ontogenetic change is mostly isometric. In addition, the wide range of individual variation in all the skull elements analyzed makes some autapomorphic characters used to define other theropod taxa suspect.

Citations

• Patterns of size-related variation within Allosaurus
• A morphometric analysis ofAllosaurus
• Sizing the Jurassic theropod dinosaur Allosaurus: Assessing growth strategy and evolution of ontogenetic scaling of limbs
• Multiple injury and infection in a sub-adult theropod dinosaurAllosaurus fragiliswith comparisons to allosaur pathology in the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Collection
• Taphonomy and Paleoecology of the Dinosaur Beds of the Jurassic Morrison Formation

Cited by

• Notes on the cheek region of the Late Jurassic theropod dinosaur Allosaurus
• Sigilmassasaurus is Spinosaurus: A reappraisal of African spinosaurines
• Allosaurus [wikipedia]