Foldino Anatomical Studies

Further exploration of Foldino anatomy. That thorny pachycephalosaurian on the top is probably the most successful rendition so far, in that it comes closest to what I originally had in mind. I think it does a pretty good job of showing how the "rib rays" could be used in a defensive capacity, and it also portrays an armored sternal plate, which would go a long way towards protecting the heart and lungs in the otherwise-exposed thoracic module. Note the forked prongs of the sternum plate, terminating in those two backward-facing tines just barely visible between the legs. You can also see erectile musculature and connective tissue--necessary for raising and lowering the rib slabs--attached to both the spinal column and the leathery "gut bag." Yeah, I like this guy, but he almost looks more like a D&D creature than an alternadino. Maybe we're seeing an early stage in the evolution of dragons?

Right and bottom show Foldinos in various states of anatomical "undress" to more clearly illustrate the ribs (right) and the thoracic module (bottom). Left clarifies that the limb assemblies, with all their associated musculature and ligaments, would necessarily attach to the spinal column in robust animals like sauropod analogs.