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Implications of Airflow Dynamics and Soft-Tissue Reconstructions for the Heat Exchange Potential of Dinosaur Nasal Passages

Bourke, Jason Michael
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1448453168

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
This study seeks to restore the internal anatomy within the nasal passages of dinosaurs via the use of comparative anatomical methods along with computational fluid dynamic simulations. Nasal airway descriptions and airflow simulations are described for extant birds, crocodylians, and lizards. These descriptions served as a baseline for airflow within the nasal passages of diapsids. The presence of shared airflow and soft-tissue properties found in the nasal passages of extant diapsids, were used to restore soft tissues within the airways of dinosaurs under the assumption that biologically unfeasible airflow patterns (e.g., lack of air movement in olfactory recess) can serve as signals for missing soft tissues. This methodology was tested on several dinosaur taxa. Restored airways in some taxa revealed the potential presence and likely shape of nasal turbinates. Heat transfer efficiency was tested in two dinosaur species with elaborated nasal passages. Results of that analysis revealed that dinosaur noses were efficient heat exchangers that likely played an integral role in maintaining cephalic thermoregulation. Brain cooling via nasal expansion appears to have been necessary for dinosaurs to have achieved their immense body sizes without overheating their brains.
Lawrence Witmer, PhD (Advisor)
440 p.
Anatomy and Physiology; Animal Sciences; Biology; Biomechanics; Fluid Dynamics; Paleontology; Scientific Imaging; Zoology
dinosaurs; computational fluid dynamics; CFD; anatomy; reptiles; birds; biomechanics; turbinates; brain cooling; thermoregulation; fluid dynamics; Stegoceras; Euoplocephalus; Panoplosaurus; bony-bounded; airway; nasal passage; nasal cavity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bourke, J. M. (2015). Implications of Airflow Dynamics and Soft-Tissue Reconstructions for the Heat Exchange Potential of Dinosaur Nasal Passages [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1448453168

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bourke, Jason. Implications of Airflow Dynamics and Soft-Tissue Reconstructions for the Heat Exchange Potential of Dinosaur Nasal Passages. 2015. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1448453168.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bourke, Jason. "Implications of Airflow Dynamics and Soft-Tissue Reconstructions for the Heat Exchange Potential of Dinosaur Nasal Passages." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1448453168

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.