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Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design
- Source :
- Dutel, H, Gröning, F, Sharp, A C, Watson, P J, Herrel, A, Ross, C F, Jones, M E H, Evans, S E & Fagan, M J 2021, ' Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design ', The Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 224, no. 5, jeb234831 . https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.234831, Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Experimental Biology, The Company of Biologists, 2021, 224 (5), pp.234831. ⟨10.1242/jeb.234831⟩, The Journal of Experimental Biology, article-version (VoR) Version of Record
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Cranial morphology in lepidosaurs is highly disparate and characterised by the frequent loss or reduction of bony elements. In varanids and geckos, the loss of the postorbital bar is associated with changes in skull shape, but the mechanical principles underlying this variation remain poorly understood. Here, we sought to determine how the overall cranial architecture and the presence of the postorbital bar relate to the loading and deformation of the cranial bones during biting in lepidosaurs. Using computer-based simulation techniques, we compared cranial biomechanics in the varanid Varanus niloticus and the teiid Salvator merianae, two large, active foragers. The overall strain magnitude and distribution across the cranium were similar in the two species, despite lower strain gradients in V. niloticus. In S. merianae, the postorbital bar is important for resistance of the cranium to feeding loads. The postorbital ligament, which in varanids partially replaces the postorbital bar, does not affect bone strain. Our results suggest that the reduction of the postorbital bar impaired neither biting performance nor the structural resistance of the cranium to feeding loads in V. niloticus. Differences in bone strain between the two species might reflect demands imposed by feeding and non-feeding functions on cranial shape. Beyond variation in cranial bone strain related to species-specific morphological differences, our results reveal that similar mechanical behaviour is shared by lizards with distinct cranial shapes. Contrary to the situation in mammals, the morphology of the circumorbital region, calvaria and palate appears to be important for withstanding high feeding loads in these lizards.<br />Summary: In vivo measurements and computer-based simulations of the cranial mechanics of two large lizards indicate that similar mechanical behaviour is shared by lizards with distinct cranial architecture, and show the importance of the postorbital bar in resisting the feeding loads.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Postorbital bar
Squamata
Physiology
Varanus niloticus
Calvaria
Aquatic Science
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
03 medical and health sciences
Species Specificity
biology.animal
[SDV.BA.ZV]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Animal biology/Vertebrate Zoology
medicine
Animals
Computer Simulation
[PHYS.MECA.BIOM]Physics [physics]/Mechanics [physics]/Biomechanics [physics.med-ph]
Molecular Biology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
030304 developmental biology
0303 health sciences
biology
Lizard
Feeding
Skull
Finite element analysis
Lizards
Anatomy
biology.organism_classification
Biomechanical Phenomena
medicine.anatomical_structure
Biting
Insect Science
Multibody dynamic analysis
Lepidosauria
Animal Science and Zoology
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00220949 and 14779145
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Dutel, H, Gröning, F, Sharp, A C, Watson, P J, Herrel, A, Ross, C F, Jones, M E H, Evans, S E & Fagan, M J 2021, ' Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design ', The Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 224, no. 5, jeb234831 . https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.234831, Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Experimental Biology, The Company of Biologists, 2021, 224 (5), pp.234831. ⟨10.1242/jeb.234831⟩, The Journal of Experimental Biology, article-version (VoR) Version of Record
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....48bba7c1ac3355401eb5ade1c2218168