Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis is a herbivorous ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 125 million years ago, in what is now Europe. Its skeleton is remarkably well documented thanks to numerous fossils found in England and other places in Europe, making it one of the best-known ornithopods of its time. This dinosaur belongs to the Iguanodontidae family and shows intermediate characteristics between the most robust iguanodonts and the most advanced hadrosaurids.
Description of the skeleton
Skull
The skull of Mantellisaurus was elongated and relatively low, with a jaw equipped with dental batteries designed to crush plant material. Its teeth were arranged in rows, with continuous replacement to compensate for the constant wear caused by its herbivorous diet. The anterior part of the skull ended in a horny beak, ideal for cutting leaves and branches. It lacked the prominent spiny thumbs seen in Iguanodon, suggesting a diet adapted to a wider variety of plants.
Vertebral column
The vertebral column was composed of a large number of robust vertebrae that supported a compact and muscular body. The cervical vertebrae were relatively short and strong, allowing for flexible neck movement, while the dorsal and caudal vertebrae were more elongated, providing structural support and balance to the dinosaur.
Forelimbs
The forelimbs of Mantellisaurus were shorter compared to those of Iguanodon, measuring approximately 50-60% of the length of the hindlimbs. This trait is indicative of predominantly bipedal locomotion, although the dinosaur could also adopt a quadrupedal posture to feed. Its hands had a functional design, with five fingers, where the three central ones were strong and capable of supporting weight, and the fifth was flexible, which could have helped it manipulate food.
Hind limbs
The hind limbs were long and powerful, designed for efficient locomotion. The tibia was longer than the femur, indicating that Mantellisaurus was adapted for moving at a good pace, probably combining a forked walk with fast running to escape predators. The feet had three main toes, ending in hooves that helped distribute weight when walking.
Pelvis
The pelvis was wide and robust, providing an anchor point for the powerful muscles of the hind limbs. This design also supported the internal organs and helped maintain balance when moving in a bipedal posture.
Tail
The tail was long and stiff, supported by ossified tendons that gave it great stability. It functioned as a counterweight when moving in a bipedal posture and as an additional point of support when adopting a quadrupedal posture.
Morphological and functional significance
The skeleton of Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis shows adaptations for versatile locomotion, with a balance between bipedal and quadrupedal mobility. This made it efficient at feeding on vegetation at different heights, as well as traveling long distances in search of food. Its less robust and lighter body than that of Iguanodon suggests that it was better adapted to open habitats where speed was crucial to escape predators.
Approximate measurements of the Mantellisaurus:
- 1:10 scale Assembly kit
- Length 1000mm
- Height 275mm
- Width 390mm
- Snout-tail length 1050 mm
- Includes acrylic support
- Base not included
