Pedal Claw Curvature in Birds, Lizards and Mesozoic Dinosaurs – Complicated Categories and Compensating for Mass-Specific and Phylogenetic Control
Open accessAbstract
Pedal claw geometry can be used to predict behaviour in extant tetrapods and has frequently been used as an indicator of lifestyle and ecology in Mesozoic birds and other fossil reptiles, sometimes without acknowledgement of the caveat that data from other aspects of morphology and proportions also need to be considered. Variation in styles of measurement (both inner and outer claw curvature angles) has made it difficult to compare results across studies, as have over-simplified ecological categories. We sought to increase sample size in a new analysis devised to test claw geometry against ecological niche. We found that taxa from different behavioural categories overlapped extensively in claw geometry. Whilst most taxa plotted as predicted, some fossil taxa were recovered in unexpected positions. Inner and outer claw curvatures were statistically correlated, and both correlated with relative claw robusticity (mid-point claw height). We corrected for mass and phylogeny, as both likely influence claw morphology. We conclude that there is no strong mass-specific effect on claw curvature; furthermore, correlations between claw geometry and behaviour are consistent across disparate clades. By using independent contrasts to correct for phylogeny, we found little significant relationship between claw geometry and behaviour. 'Ground-dweller' claws are less curved and relatively dorsoventrally deep relative to those of other behavioural categories; beyond this it is difficult to assign an explicit category to a claw based purely on geometry.
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Pedal digit II in Archaeopteryx lacks features indicative of hyperextension that are present in troodontids and dromaeosaurids.
“Contra recent interpretations, pedal digit II lacks features indicative of hyperextension present in troodontids and dromaeosaurids [15, 70].”
From The ecology of Archaeopteryx (2026) · cites this paper as [70]
The Methods and Discussion examine chiefly digit III claw curvature; the Discussion mentions a modified digit II in deinonychosaurs but does not link it to hyperextension. Searches for hyperextension and Archaeopteryx’s second digit found no passage assessing whether Archaeopteryx lacks the features described in the claim. Page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.70)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn troodontids and dromaeosaurids, digit II phalanges are shortened and the proximoventral margin of the penultimate phalanx bears an expanded 'heel'.
“In these taxa, digit II phalanges are shortened and the proximoventral margin of the penultimate phalanx bears an expanded 'heel' .”
From The ecology of Archaeopteryx (2026) · cites this paper as [70]
The Discussion (page unavailable) mentions a modified digit II in deinonychosaurs, but does not describe shortened phalanges or an expanded heel on the penultimate phalanx. The Methods (page unavailable) say the study measured claw unguals, chiefly on digit III. Searches for the heel, penultimate phalanx, and shortened digit II phalanges found no passage addressing those specific features. (LLM, conf=0.74)
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- Authors
- Birn-Jeffery, A. V., Miller, C. E., Naish, D., Rayfield, E. J., & Hone, D. W. E.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- National Oceanography Centre (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- University College Dublin (IE)
- Corresponding author
- Hone, David W. E.
- Venue
- PLoS ONE
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Published
- 2012-12-05
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- e50555
- ISSN
- 1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3515613
- OpenAlex
- W2104943208
- Cited by
- 73
- References
- 69
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Queen Mary Research Online (Queen Mary University of London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion)
- RVC Research Online (Royal Veterinary College) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Keywords
- Mesozoic dinosaurs, fossil birds, lizards, ecological niche, phylogenetic correction, independent contrasts
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Birds, Fossils, Hoof and Claw, Lizards, Phylogeny, Dinosaurs
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