PhD: Functional morphology of Oviraptorosauria and the evolution of dietary diversity in theropods

Oviraptorosauria is an iconic group of feathered theropod dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Asia and North America. Although closely related to typically carnivorous theropod dinosaurs, oviraptorosaurs are thought to have evolved a variety of dietary specialisations, including feeding on small vertebrates, insects, molluscs or plants. This is reflected by their highly modified skulls, with short tooth-less beaks and robust lower jaws, although early members of this group retained teeth. While some rare fossils preserve stomach contents suggesting an omnivorous or herbivorous diet, little is known about feeding behaviour in this group and how it might have changed throughout their evolutionary history. A better understanding of the functional morphology of the cranial skeleton of Oviraptorosauria can therefore provide further insights into how diet evolved in this group and within theropods in general.

The aim of this project is to conduct a comprehensive biomechanical study on the cranial skeleton of oviraptorosaurs using modern imaging techniques including micro-CT scanning, digital reconstruction and biomechanical modelling. Key research questions include: (1) How did the form and function of the skull and lower jaw change from basal to derived oviraptorosaurs? (2) Are different modifications of the cranial skeleton related to adaptations to specific diets (durophagy, insectivory, herbivory)? (3) How complex were dietary diversity patterns in oviraptorosaurs and derived theropod dinosaurs?

The overarching objective of this proposal is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the functional morphology of the oviraptorosaur skull and lower jaw. Computed tomographic (CT) datasets are available for several key taxa (e.g. Incisivosaurus, Citipati, Khaan, Gigantoraptor and Anzu). The cranial osteology of these key taxa will be reconstructed using digital visualisation and modelling techniques. These restorations will serve as the basis for the reconstruction of jaw adductor musculature. Subsequent biomechanical analyses will include finite element modelling of the skulls to test functional performance. Three-dimensional biomechanical modelling will be supplemented by two-dimensional analyses of the cranial skeleton using published data. The student will visit selected fossil collections in the US and China to examine fossil material to aid in the digital reconstruction.