Shumin Liu

To explore Lingwulong shenqi and other sauropods’ palaeobiology and palaeoecology, utilizing external and internal anatomical data

PhD project title:

The external and internal anatomy of the Middle Jurassic Chinese diplodocoid Lingwulong shenqi and its implications for the palaeobiology and palaeoecology of sauropod dinosaurs.

 Project description:

Shumin Li PhD

Lingwulong shenqi is a member of the gigantic, long-necked, herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs. It is a species of Diplodocoidea, the group that includes Diplodocus, and is the geologically oldest known member of the diverse sauropod group Neosauropoda. As such, Lingwulong shenqi is an important species in terms of understanding the evolutionary history of sauropods. Furthermore, Lingwulong shenqi is a rare instance of a sauropod known from multiple individuals, thus it could shed light on various aspects of sauropod palaeobiology and palaeoecology. However, only a brief description has been published in 2018, limiting its utility in evolutionary analyses.

In my project, I will produce a comprehensive anatomical description of Lingwulong shenqi based on first-hand study of the remains. In addition to describing the external anatomy, I will also utilize CT-scan data to reconstruct its internal anatomy as well. This will include a description of the internal anatomy of its skull for the first time, which can provide critical information pertaining to biology and ecology.

Furthermore, I will be able to better understand the internal structure of its vertebrae, providing a greater understanding of the early evolution of pneumaticity in neosauropods. 

These approaches will allow me to provide a wealth of new data, improving and enriching our knowledge of the anatomy, relationships, biology, and ecology of sauropod dinosaurs. 

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