Dutel, Hugo, Sharp, Alana ORCID: 0000-0001-5117-5335, Jones, Marc ORCID: 0000-0002-0146-9623, Evans, Susan ORCID: 0000-0002-0799-4154, Fagan, Micheal and Gröning, Flora
(2017)
Comparative skull biomechanics in <i>Varanus</i> and <i>Salvator</i> ‘<i>Tupinambis</i>’.
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This is the latest version of this item.
Abstract
The lizard species Salvator ‘ Tupinambis ’ merianae and Varanus ornatus evolved independently in South America and Africa but share similar ecology and feeding behaviour, despite having notable differences in their skull structure. Tupinambis has a compact, relatively short and wide snout, whereas that of Varanus is more slender and narrow. In addition, a postorbital bar (POB) is present in Tupinambis but absent in Varanus , and the former lacks the mid-frontal suture that is present in the latter. Here, we explore the biomechanical significance of these differences using 3D computer-based mechanical simulations based on micro-computed tomography, detailed muscle dissections, and in vivo data. First, we simulated muscle activity and joint-reaction forces during biting using Multibody Dynamics Analysis. Then, the forces calculated from these models were used as an input for Finite Element Analysis, to investigate and compare the strains of the skull in these two species. The effects of the presence/absence of structures, such as the POB, were investigated by constructing artificial models which geometry was altered. Our results indicate that strains in the skull bones are lower in Tupinambis than in Varanus , in particular at the back of the skull. The presence of a POB clearly reduces the strains in the bones during posterior biting in Tupinambis , but not in Varanus . Our results hence highlight how the morphological differences between these two taxa affect the mechanical behaviour of their respective skulls during feeding.
Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Unspecified) |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Musculoskeletal |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
Date Deposited: | 28 Jan 2021 10:39 |
Last Modified: | 15 Mar 2024 15:12 |
DOI: | 10.7287/peerj.preprints.3176v1 |
Open Access URL: | https://peerj.com/preprints/3176/ |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3080495 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Comparative skull biomechanics in Varanus and Salvator ‘Tupinambis’. (deposited 25 Oct 2018 08:32)
- Comparative skull biomechanics in <i>Varanus</i> and <i>Salvator</i> ‘<i>Tupinambis</i>’. (deposited 28 Jan 2021 10:39) [Currently Displayed]