The research, published in the journal "Scientific Reports," used computer simulations to model the running gaits of different dinosaurs, including the bipedal Tyrannosaurus rex and the quadrupedal Triceratops. The simulations showed that the bipedal dinosaurs swung their tails in a side-to-side motion, while the quadrupedal dinosaurs held their tails straight out behind them.
"This was a bit of a surprise, because the traditional view is that dinosaurs held their tails straight out behind them," said study lead author Peter Bishop, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Queensland in Australia. "But our simulations show that swinging the tail actually helps to improve balance in bipedal dinosaurs."
The researchers believe that the tail-swinging motion helped to counteract the twisting forces that are created when a bipedal dinosaur takes a step. This twisting motion can cause the dinosaur to lose its balance and fall over, but swinging the tail helps to stabilize the dinosaur and keep it moving in a straight line.
"The tail is acting like a pendulum," Bishop said. "When the dinosaur takes a step, the tail swings in the opposite direction, which helps to keep the dinosaur's center of mass over its feet."
The researchers also found that the tail-swinging motion helped to reduce the amount of energy that the dinosaur needed to run. This is because the tail helps to store and release energy, which can then be used to propel the dinosaur forward.
"The tail is like a spring," Bishop said. "When the dinosaur takes a step, the tail compresses and stores energy. This energy is then released when the tail swings back, which helps to push the dinosaur forward."
The researchers believe that the tail-swinging motion was likely a common feature in bipedal dinosaurs, and that it played an important role in their ability to run and survive in the prehistoric world.
"The tail was an essential part of a dinosaur's anatomy," Bishop said. "It was used for balance, stability, and energy storage. Without a tail, dinosaurs would not have been able to run as efficiently or survive in their environment."
