Exploring the mysteries of gigantism in the largest land creature that ever lived
Sauropods, those huge plant-eating dinosaurs, possessed bodies that seemto defy every natural law. What were these creatures like as living animals and howcould they reach such uniquely gigantic sizes? A dedicated group of researchers inGermany in disciplines ranging from engineering and materials science to animalnutrition and paleontology went in search of the answers to these questions. Biologyof the Sauropod Dinosaurs reports on the latest results from this seeminglydisparate group of research fields and integrates them into a coherent theoryregarding sauropod gigantism. Covering nutrition, physiology, growth, and skeletalstructure and body plans, this volume presents the most up-to-date knowledge aboutthe biology of these enormous dinosaurs.