Pulmonary Function and Metabolic Physiology of Theropod Dinosaurs

Ultraviolet light analysis of a fossil of the theropod dinosaurScipionyx samniticusrevealed that the liver subdivided the visceral cavity into distinct anterior pleuropericardial and posterior abdominal regions. In addition,Scipionyxapparently had diaphragmatic musculature and a dorsally attached posterior colon. These features provide evidence that diaphragm-assisted lung ventilation was present in theropods and that these dinosaurs may have used a pattern of exercise physiology unlike that in any group of living tetrapods.