A5014182260- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Cleft Lip and Palate Research
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health
- Livestock and Poultry Management
- Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Face Recognition and Perception
- Facial Trauma and Fracture Management
- Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
East Tennessee State University
2022-2025
Duke University
2018-2021
University of New England
2016-2019
University at Albany, State University of New York
2010-2016
ABSTRACT Dental topographic analysis is the quantitative assessment of shape three‐dimensional models tooth crowns and component features. Molar curvature, relief, complexity correlate with aspects feeding behavior in certain living primates, have been employed to investigate dietary ecology extant extinct primate species. This study investigates whether dental topography correlates diet among a diverse sample platyrrhines, compares platyrrhine that prosimians. We sampled 111 lower second...
ABSTRACT Recent biomechanical analyses examining the feeding adaptations of early hominins have yielded results consistent with hypothesis that hard foods exerted a selection pressure influenced evolution australopith morphology. However, this appears inconsistent recent reconstructions hominin diet based on dental microwear and stable isotopes. Thus, it is likely either diets some australopiths included high proportion these taxa were poorly adapted to consume (i.e., they would not...
ABSTRACT The African Plio‐Pleistocene hominins known as australopiths evolved derived craniodental features frequently interpreted adaptations for feeding on either hard, or compliant/tough foods. Among australopiths, Paranthropus boisei is the most robust form, exhibiting traits traditionally hypothesized to produce high bite forces efficiently and strengthen face against stresses. However, recent mechanical analyses imply that P. may not have been an efficient producer of force morphology...
Three adaptive hypotheses have been forwarded to explain the distinctive Neanderthal face: (i) an improved ability accommodate high anterior bite forces, (ii) more effective conditioning of cold and/or dry air and, (iii) adaptation facilitate greater ventilatory demands. We test these using three-dimensional models Neanderthals, modern humans, and a close outgroup (
Abstract Pitheciines ( Pithecia , Chiropotes and Cacajao ) are a specialized clade of Neotropical seed predators that exhibit postcanine teeth with low rounded cusps highly crenulated occlusal surface enamel. Data on feeding ecology show consumes proportionally more leaves than other pitheciine species, comparative studies demonstrate its greater molar relief relative shearing potential. However, data food mechanics masticates seeds crushing resistance those preferred by . This variation...
Abstract Most birds of prey (raptors), rely heavily on their talons for capturing prey. However, the relationship between talon shape and ability to take is poorly understood. In this study we investigate whether raptor have evolved primarily in response adaptive pressures exerted by different dietary demands, or if morphology largely constrained allometric phylogenetic factors. We focus hallux include 21 species total varying greatly body mass feeding ecology, ranging from active predation...
The biology of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus , is well documented—including its dietary habits, particularly ability to crush shell with gnathobasic walking appendages—but virtually nothing known about feeding biomechanics this iconic arthropod. also considered archetypal functional analogue various extinct groups serial appendages, including eurypterids, trilobites and other early arthropods, especially Sidneyia inexpectans from mid-Cambrian (508 Myr) Burgess Shale Canada....
The evolution of the modern human ( Homo sapiens ) cranium is characterized by a reduction in size feeding system, including reductions facial skeleton, postcanine teeth, and muscles involved biting chewing. conventional view hypothesizes that gracilization system related to shift toward eating foods were less mechanically challenging consume and/or processed using tools before being ingested. This hypothesis predicts systems should not be well-configured produce forceful bites structurally...
Abstract Diamond (Assembly of species communities. In: Cody ML, JM, editors. Ecology and evolution Cambridge: Belknap. p 342–444 ( 1975 )) argued that interspecific competition between occupying similar niches results in a nonrandom pattern distributions. In particular, some pairs may never be found the same community due to competitive exclusion. Rigorous analytical methods have been developed investigate possible role has on Many studies implemented these shown support for Diamond's...
Abstract Australopithecus sediba has been hypothesized to be a close relative of the genus Homo. Here we show that MH1, type specimen A. , was not optimized produce high molar bite force and appears have limited in its ability consume foods were mechanically challenging eat. Dental microwear data previously interpreted as indicating consumed hard foods, so our findings illustrate mechanical are essential if one aims reconstruct relatively complete picture feeding adaptations extinct...
ABSTRACT Tropical habitats in South America and Africa are being transformed by artisanal gold mining, but few studies have addressed how mining impacts animals at the community level. We assessed long‐term ecological resilience to disturbance for seven primate species ( Allouatta macconnelli , Ateles paniscus Cebus olivaceus Chiropotes sagulatus Pithecia pithecia Saguinus midas Sapajus apella ) Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname over a 20‐year period. Using 11 trails unpaved roads calculate...
The divergence of Homo from gracile australopiths has been described as a trend decreasing dentognathic size and robusticity, precipitated by stone tool use and/or shift to softer foods, including meat. Yet, mechanical evidence supporting this narrative is sparse, isotopic archaeological data have led the suggestion that away australopith-like diet would not occurred in most basal members but rather only with appearance erectus, implying origin our genus rooted dietary change. Here, we...
ABSTRACT In a broad range of evolutionary studies, an understanding intraspecific variation is needed in order to contextualize and interpret the meaning between species. However, mechanical analyses primate crania using experimental or modeling methods typically encounter logistical constraints that force them rely on data gathered from only one few individuals. This results lack knowledge concerning significance shape limits our ability infer interspecific differences. study uses geometric...
Increasing body size is accompanied by facial elongation across a number of mammalian taxa. This trend forms the basis proposed evolutionary rule, cranial allometry (CREA). However, length has also been widely associated with varying mechanical resistance foods. Here, we combine geometric morphometrics and computational biomechanical analyses to determine whether or feeding ecology have dominant influences on 16 species kangaroos relatives (Macropodiformes). We found no support for an...
ABSTRACT The craniofacial skeleton is often described in the clinical literature as being comprised of vertical bony pillars, which transmit forces from toothrow to neurocranium axial compressive stresses, reinforced transversely by buttresses. Here, we review on microarchitecture, vivo bone strain, and finite‐element modeling facial humans nonhuman primates address questions regarding structural functional existence pillars Available material properties data do not support buttresses or...
Large brains are a defining feature of primates, as is clear allometric trend between body mass and brain size. However, important questions on the macroevolution shape in primates remain unanswered. Here we address two: (i), does relationship size its follow trends (ii), this consistent over evolutionary time? We employ three-dimensional geometric morphometrics phylogenetic comparative methods to answer these questions, based large sample representing 151 species most primate families....
Australopiths exhibit a number of derived facial features that are thought to strengthen the face against high and/or repetitive loads associated with diet included mechanically challenging foods. Here, we use finite element analysis (FEA) test hypotheses related purported strengthening role zygomatic root and "anterior pillar" in australopiths. We modified our previously constructed models Sts 5 (Australopithecus africanus) MH1 (A. sediba) differ morphology root, including changes both...
We analyzed feeding biomechanics in pitheciine monkeys (Pithecia, Chiropotes, Cacajao), a clade that specializes on hard-husked unripe fruit (sclerocarpy) and resistant seeds (seed predation). tested the hypothesis crania are well-suited to generate withstand forceful canine molar biting, with prediction they bite forces more efficiently better resist masticatory strains than closely-related Callicebus, which does not specialize fruits and/or seeds. also...
Abstract Objectives The basicranium and face are two integrated bony structures displaying great morphological diversity across primates. Previous studies in hominids determined that the is composed of independent modules: midline basicranium, mostly influenced by brain size, lateral predominantly associated with facial shape. To better assess how integration impacts evolution primate cranial shape diversity, we test to determine whether relationships found retained order. Materials methods...
Potoroid marsupials (bettongs and potoroos of the family Potoroidae) are considered ecosystem engineers because roles they play in maintaining biodiversity. However, severe declines since European arrival have necessitated intense conservation efforts. Vital to these efforts is an understanding physical challenges that define their niches. The mechanical properties foods, such as toughness stiffness, represent a interface with environment can contribute quantitatively defining Here, we...