Diego A. Mattarelli

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About

Diego A. Mattarelli is a paleontologist whose research bridges vertebrate paleontology, functional morphology, and evolutionary biology, with a particular focus on the locomotion and ecology of extinct archosaurs. His most influential work, "Tail-propelled aquatic locomotion in a theropod dinosaur" (2020, 94 citations), fundamentally challenged long-held assumptions about dinosaur lifestyles by providing compelling evidence that some theropods—traditionally viewed as exclusively terrestrial—were capable of active swimming using their tails as propulsive organs. This study, which combined fossil evidence with biomechanical modeling, opened new avenues for understanding the ecological diversity of non-avian dinosaurs and has been widely cited in discussions of dinosaur behavior, evolution, and the invasion of aquatic environments. Mattarelli’s contributions extend beyond this landmark paper; his research integrates detailed anatomical analysis with computational simulations to reconstruct how extinct animals moved and interacted with their environments. His work has been recognized for its methodological rigor and its ability to reshape narratives about dinosaur capabilities, making him a key voice in modern paleontological debates. For students and researchers, Mattarelli exemplifies how innovative approaches can uncover unexpected behaviors in the fossil record.