Vulcanodon

(A) A phylogenetic principal-component analysis (PCA) represents the projection of the Dinosauria supertree (STAR Methods) into a PCA of climatic variables. PC1 axis shows strong positive correlation with maximum temperature ([temp max), low positive correlation with precipitation seasonality ( precip season), strong negative correlation with minimum temperature (Ytemp min), and strong negative correlation with minimum precipitation (Yprecip min). PC2 axis shows strong positive correlation with minimum temperature ([temp min) and negative correlation with precipitation seasonality (Yprecip season). Shadows around points highlight the relative density in the principal compo- nent space of non-dinosaurian Dinosauromorpha (gray), Ornithischia (blue), Sauropodomorpha (green), and Theropoda (red). (B) Lower left plot shows 95% confidence interval convex hulls for each dinosauromorph subclade. Blue thermometer (top left corner) symbolizes the direction of the vector in the PC space region for cold temper- atures; yellow thermometer (top right corner) indicates the direction of the vector in PC space for warm tem- peratures; brown shrub (top right corner) depicts dry conditions, while the same with a gray, rainy cloud (mid, lower side of the graph) illustrates seasonal conditions. Silhouettes represent the following taxa (clockwise from the higher left corner): Minmi, Edmontosaurus, Pachyrhinosaurus, Tyrannosaurus, Asilisaurus, Graci- liceratops, Harpymimus, Altirhinus, Gobititan, Suz- housaurus, Marasuchus, Pampadromaeus, Herrer- asaurus, Vulcanodon, Diplodocus, Giraffatitan, Coelophysis, Dromomeron, Gondwanatitan, Tapuiasaurus, Anchisaurus, Siamotyrannus, Diodorus, Suchomimus, Phuwiangosaurus, Ouranosaurus, Irritator, Tangvayosaurus, Nanshiungosaurus, Aeolosaurus, Rebbachisaurus, Chuxiongosaurus, Tethyshadros, Koreanosaurus. Genyodectes, Mapusaurus, Vegavis, Goyocephale, and Rhoetosaurus.

Skeletal diagram showing known material of Vulcanodon karibaensis. Based on figured and measurements on Raath 1972 and Cooper 1984. Unknown materials based on Shunosaurus (from Zhang 1988), Tazoudasaurus (from Allain & Aquesbi 2008 and Peyer & Allain 2010) and Rhoetosaurus (from Longmann 1926). Unfigured rib, chevron and cervical fragments not illustrated. Scale bar = 1 meter

Model of vulcanodon in JuraPark, Solec Kujawski, Poland

Model of vulcanodon in JuraPark, Solec Kujawski, Poland

Main evolutionary steps proposed for the morphofunctional and postural changes of the sauropod pedes. (A) Sauropod body mass through time (in metric tons) based on the sauropod body mass estimations of (41) (NB: data lacking for the second half of the Upper Cretaceous so illustrated here faded, in continuity with the data recorded in the Cretaceous). Schematic outlines of selected large specimens illustrated in the curve, including (from left to right) P. engelhardti, Vulcanodon karibaensis, R. brownei, G. brancai, Cedarosaurus weiskopfae, and Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi. (B) Projected evolutionary changes occurring in the sauropod pes associated with trend in body mass, including 1, skeletal and functional digitigrade pedal posture among basal non-sauropod sauropodomorphs with an incipient soft tissue pad (ISP) (see figs. S34 and S35); 2 and 3, expansion of a well-developed soft tissue pad beneath the elevated pedal bones (SP), resulting in a functionally plantigrade pes + retention of skeletal posture within a range of digitigrady; 4, retention of a soft tissue pad and yet undetermined trend toward more elevated bones; 5, conservation of the neomorphic soft tissue pad within all lineages. Selected examples of well-preserved non-sauropod sauropodomorph and sauropod pedal tracks illustrated above the trends, including (from left to right) Evazoum siriguii; Pseudotetrasauropus bipedoida, Eosauropus isp., Lavinipes cheminii; Kalosauropus pollex, Liujianpus shunan, Polyonyx gomesi; Parabrontopodus mcintoshi; Brontopodus birdi; Titanopodus mendozensis; and unnamed Asian sauropod track. Source of adapted drawing and notes are listed in table S9 and data S2.

Main evolutionary steps proposed for the morphofunctional and postural changes of the sauropod pedes. (A) Sauropod body mass through time (in metric tons) based on the sauropod body mass estimations of (41) (NB: data lacking for the second half of the Upper Cretaceous so illustrated here faded, in continuity with the data recorded in the Cretaceous). Schematic outlines of selected large specimens illustrated in the curve, including (from left to right) P. engelhardti, Vulcanodon karibaensis, R. brownei, G. brancai, Cedarosaurus weiskopfae, and Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi. (B) Projected evolutionary changes occurring in the sauropod pes associated with trend in body mass, including 1, skeletal and functional digitigrade pedal posture among basal non-sauropod sauropodomorphs with an incipient soft tissue pad (ISP) (see figs. S34 and S35); 2 and 3, expansion of a well-developed soft tissue pad beneath the elevated pedal bones (SP), resulting in a functionally plantigrade pes + retention of skeletal posture within a range of digitigrady; 4, retention of a soft tissue pad and yet undetermined trend toward more elevated bones; 5, conservation of the neomorphic soft tissue pad within all lineages. Selected examples of well-preserved non-sauropod sauropodomorph and sauropod pedal tracks illustrated above the trends, including (from left to right) Evazoum siriguii; Pseudotetrasauropus bipedoida, Eosauropus isp., Lavinipes cheminii; Kalosauropus pollex, Liujianpus shunan, Polyonyx gomesi; Parabrontopodus mcintoshi; Brontopodus birdi; Titanopodus mendozensis; and unnamed Asian sauropod track. Source of adapted drawing and notes are listed in table S9 and data S2.