A5076726939- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
- Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments
- Tracheal and airway disorders
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- dental development and anomalies
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Bone health and osteoporosis research
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
University of New England
2016-2025
University of New England
2022
Environmental Earth Sciences
2003-2017
UNSW Sydney
2003-2017
The University of Adelaide
2016
South Australian Museum
2003-2016
University of Salford
2016
University of Newcastle Australia
2012-2015
The University of Sydney
2000-2007
Queensland Museum
2003-2005
We provide the first predictions of bite force (B S ) in a wide sample living and fossil mammalian predators. To compare between taxa, we calculated an estimated quotient (BFQ) as residual B regressed on body mass. Estimated adjusted for mass was higher marsupials than placentals Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii had highest relative among extant taxa. The overall two extinct marsupial lions. BFQ hyaenas were similar to those related, non-osteophagous taxa challenging common assumption...
The Carnivora spans the largest ecological and body size diversity of any mammalian order, making it an ideal basis for studies evolutionary ecology functional morphology. For animals with different feeding ecologies, may be expected that bite force represents important adaptation, but have been constrained by a lack data. In this study we present predictions forces 151 species extant carnivores, comprising representatives from all eight families entire spectrum within order. We show that,...
The American sabercat Smilodon fatalis is among the most charismatic of fossil carnivores. Despite broad agreement that its extraordinary anatomy reflects unique hunting techniques, after >150 years study, many questions remain concerning predatory behavior. Were "sabers" used to take down large prey? prey killed with an eviscerating bite abdomen? Was powerful or weak compared modern big cats? Here we quantitatively assess sabercat's biomechanical performance using detailed computer...
Phenotypic similarities between distantly related marsupials and placentals are commonly presented as examples of convergence support for the role adaptive evolution in shaping morphological ecological diversity. Here we compare skull shape a wide range carnivoran (Carnivora) nonherbivorous using three-dimensional (3-D) geometric morphometric approach. Morphological diversity among extant carnivorans is considerably greater than evident marsupial order Dasyuromorphia with which they have...
Around 88 large vertebrate taxa disappeared from Sahul sometime during the Pleistocene, with majority of losses (54 taxa) clearly taking place within last 400,000 years. The largest was 2.8-ton browsing Diprotodon optatum , whereas ∼100- to 130-kg marsupial lion, Thylacoleo carnifex world’s most specialized mammalian carnivore, and Varanus priscus lizard known, were formidable predators. Explanations for these extinctions have centered on climatic change or human activities. Here, we review...
Diminished bite force has been considered a defining feature of modern Homo sapiens, an interpretation inferred from the application two-dimensional lever mechanics and relative gracility human masticatory musculature skull. This conclusion various implications with regard to evolution feeding behaviour. However, dental anatomy suggests capacity withstand high loads models greatly simplify muscle architecture, yielding less accurate results than three-dimensional modelling using multiple...
The predatory ecology of Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) has been a subject long-standing interest and considerable conjecture. Here, we investigate the roles potential interplay between cranial mechanics, toxic bacteria, venom. Our analyses point to presence sophisticated combined-arsenal killing apparatus. We find that lightweight skull is relatively poorly adapted generate high bite forces but better resist pulling loads. reject popular notion regarding bacteria utilization. Instead,...
Carnivory has evolved independently several times in eutherian (including placental) and metatherian marsupial) mammals. We used geometric morphometrics to assess convergences associated with the evolution of carnivory across a broad suite mammals, including clades Carnivora Creodonta Thylacoleonidae, Dasyuromorphia, Didelphidae Borhyaenoidea. further quantified cranial disparity eutherians metatherians test hypothesis that marsupial mode reproduction constrained their morphological...
Background Crocodilians exhibit a spectrum of rostral shape from long snouted (longirostrine), through to short (brevirostrine) morphologies. The proportional length the mandibular symphysis correlates consistently with shape, forming as much 50% mandible’s in longirostrine forms, but 10% brevirostrine crocodilians. Here we analyse structural consequences an elongate relation feeding behaviours. Methods/Principal Findings Simple beam and high resolution Finite Element (FE) models seven...
Durophagy arose in the Cambrian and greatly influenced diversification of biomineralized defensive structures throughout Phanerozoic. Spinose gnathobases on protopodites euarthropod limbs are considered key innovations for shell-crushing, yet few studies have demonstrated their effectiveness with biomechanical models. Here we present finite-element analysis models two trilobites prominent gnathobases— Redlichia rex Olenoides serratus —and compare these to Sidneyia inexpectans modern American...
The global blitzkrieg hypothesis explains differential rates of megafaunal extinction between the world's landmasses in late Quaternary based on a proposed leap predation efficiency enjoyed by colonising societies. It is characterised appealing simplicity. Selective over hunting, facilitated naiveté to human predation, produced rapid mass extinctions large animals wherever subsistence societies colonised new landmasses. Taken at face value circumstantial case for compelling and despite...
Postcranial ossification sequences in 24 therian mammals and three outgroup taxa were obtained using clear staining computed tomography to test the hypothesis that marsupial forelimb is developmentally accelerated, assess patterns of postcranial ossification. Sequence rank variation individual bones, phylogenetic analysis, algorithm-based heterochrony optimization event pairs employed. Phylogenetic analysis only recovers Marsupialia, Australidelphia, Eulipotyphla. Little found within...
Recent claims for continent wide disappearance of megafauna at 46.5 thousand calendar years ago (ka) in Australia have been used to support a "blitzkrieg" model, which explains extinctions as the result rapid overkill by human colonizers. A number key sites with remains that significantly postdate ka excluded from consideration because questions regarding their stratigraphic integrity. Of these sites, Cuddie Springs is only locality where and cultural are found together sequential horizons,...
Abstract The notorious jaws of the white shark Carcharodon carcharias are widely feared, yet poorly understood. Neither its bite force, nor how such force might be delivered using relatively elastic cartilaginous jaws, have been quantified or described. We digitally reconstructed a to estimate maximum and examine relationships among their three‐dimensional geometry, material properties function. predict that in large sharks may exceed c . 1.8 tonnes, highest known for any living species,...
The extinct marsupial thylacine ( Thylacinus cynocephalus ) and placental grey wolf Canis lupus are commonly presented as an iconic example of convergence. However, various analyses suggest distinctly different behaviours specialization towards either relatively small or large prey in the thylacine, bringing degree apparent convergence into question. Here we apply a powerful engineering tool, three-dimensional finite element analysis incorporating multiple material properties for bone, to...
ABSTRACT Neanderthals have been commonly depicted as top predators who met their nutritional needs by focusing entirely on meat. This information mostly derives from faunal assemblage analyses and stable isotope studies: methods that tend to underestimate plant consumption overestimate the intake of animal proteins. Several studies in fact demonstrate there is a physiological limit amount proteins can be consumed: exceeding these values causes protein toxicity particularly dangerous pregnant...
The description of a Neanderthal hyoid from Kebara Cave (Israel) in 1989 fuelled scientific debate on the evolution speech and complex language. Gross anatomy 2 differs little that modern humans. However, whether Homo neanderthalensis could use or language remains controversial. Similarity overall shape does not necessarily demonstrate was used same way as sapiens. mechanical performance whole bones is partly controlled by internal trabecular geometries, regulated bone-remodelling response...
Background Later Pleistocene human evolution in East Asia remains poorly understood owing to a scarcity of well described, reliably classified and accurately dated fossils. Southwest China has been identified from genetic research as hotspot diversity, containing ancient mtDNA Y-DNA lineages, yielded number thought derive deposits. We have prepared, reconstructed, described new partial skull consolidated sediment block collected 1979 the site Longlin Cave (Guangxi Province). also undertook...
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 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....