Brant Isakson, PhD, a professor of molecular physiology and biological physics and resident member of the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC), is publishing a book titled Balancing a Sauropod: The Physiology of a Dinosaur. Available Nov. 29, the book brings Dr. Isakson’s expertise in physiology, metabolism, and cardiovascular biology together to create a comprehensive picture of how the largest animals in history may have functioned.
“I always loved dinosaurs,” Dr. Isakson said. “The sauropod stuck out due to its unusually long neck. There was nothing to compare it to in terms of animals today. As I got older, understanding how the neck was integrated into the overall physiology of the animal became a fun mental exercise.” The book is intended for both curious adults and experts in the field.
By turning to extreme physiology, “the study of adaptions an animal has made to live within an environment that is completely typical to them, but on the fringes of normal life to other species,” Dr. Isakson provides insight about how sauropods may have moved, breathed, and circulated their blood: “Giraffes and birds have fascinating adaptions that the sauropod also likely integrated into their daily life. For example, I hypothesize sauropod necks housed air sacs like those seen in modern birds, reducing the neck’s weight and improving respiratory efficiency. The fun part of all this is that as new discoveries are made, especially in the fossil record, we’ll be able to further refine our ideas of sauropod physiologies.”
Balancing a Sauropod: The Physiology of a Dinosaur, published by Elsevier Science, is written to both inform a lay audience and engage experts. “I hope both types of readers see the book as a creative exploration of what could have been,” stated Dr. Isakson. “I started the book with a favorite quote about “unknown unknowns.” Those are my favorite problems to think about, and there are so many in dinosaur physiology. The wondering and thinking and exploring is what makes kids fall in love with dinosaurs in the first place, and if I can bring that sort of joy to a reader, whether lay or scientist, I think that would be awesome.”
Balancing a Sauropod: The Physiology of a Dinosaur is available for pre-order from all major retailers, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Elsevier.
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