Sauropodomorph skeletal mounts as scientific hypotheses testing device
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Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
info
ISSN: 0213-4306
Year of publication: 2019
Issue Title: Paleontología ibérica : nuevas tendencias y perspectivas
Issue: 31
Pages: 337-342
Type: Article
More publications in: Zubía
Abstract
Fossil skeletal mounts are more than popular attractions at paleontological exhibitions. Thorough History they have proven, when properly mounted, to be great devices for evaluating paleobiological hypotheses otherwise untestable. Nevertheless, mounting skeletons based on preconceived notions or looking for spectacularity has also contributed to spark a lot of scientific debate for decades. This work reviews some historical and recent cases on how skeletal mounting, physical or virtual, has resulted as hypothesis testing device or as a vehicle for false hypotheses to spread. Skeletal mounts can be valid hypothesis testing devices when following strict rigorous and repeatable protocols. Some criteria for evaluating previously existing mounts or executing new ones are proposed.