Analysis reveals discrepancies in atlantal ribs in Diplodocus specimens, indicating variation.
Eighteen months ago, I noted that the Carnegie Museum's Diplodocus mount has no atlantal ribs (i.e. ribs of the first cervical vertebra, the atlas). But that the Paris cast has long atlantal ribs — so long the extend past the posterior end of the axis. There were two especially provocative comments to that post.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Mike Taylor (2024) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: