Data set for "Dinosaur skull geometry does not follow functional optimisation trends but facilitates adaptability"

Digital skull models for different cranial proportions (M_Rostrum_Orbit_Braincase) and ratios (R_Length/Height), created in Blender, STL file format.<br>Paper abstract:Dinosaurs exhibited a remarkable array of skull shapes and sizes, often featuring unusual cranial structures, including horns, frills, casques, and beaks. While many aspects of the dinosaurian skull morphology have been shaped by adaptations to different dietary niches, the underlying geometry of the cranial skeleton and its different functional units (rostrum, orbital region, braincase) remain largely unexplored — as does the biomechanical relevance of skull dimensions and proportions. Furthermore, as the cranium is subjected to different functional requirements, it is unclear if its evolution follows a trend towards optimisation of feeding performance and structural integrity. Here, we used morphometric analyses, theoretical morphospaces, and biomechanical modelling to quantify skull geometry and investigate how skull proportions shaped dinosaur evolution. Our results demonstrate that skull proportions and dimensions follow a narrowly constrained pattern, with the rostrum showing the largest variability and plasticity. Hypothetical models further reveal that dinosaur skulls did not evolve towards functional optimality (in the context of feeding performance). Rather, they evolved within a “Goldilocks“ zone that represented a compromise of different functional requirements but still allowed for broad adaptability of the rostrum as the main tool to access different dietary niches. This morphological flexibility may have been beneficial during the transition from non–avian dinosaurs to birds, with the rostrum serving as a focal point for environmental manipulation due to the loss of forelimb function for flight.