Posters
Feeding Biomechanics of Raptors: Evolutionary Perspectives
Location
Hall Memorial Ballroom
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Start Date
4-4-2018 12:00 PM
Department
Biology
Abstract
The Ostrom’s hypotheses regarding avian evolution state that aves (modern birds) is a derived group of theropod dinosaurs characterized by adaptations for endothermy, feathers, and flight. In vertebrates, the force production via the musculoskeletal system is influenced by several mechanical and physiological factors. During feeding, the force exerted at the teeth for biting can be calculated as a product of the mechanical advantage of the jaw and input force from the jaw adductor muscles for jaw closure. Using replicas of a fossil skull of Velociraptor mongoliensis (Dromaeosauridae) as a representative theropod dinosaur, Archaeopteryx lithographica as a representative of the earliest and most primitive birds, which shares many theropod features and is recognized as a transitional dinosaur-bird specimen, and a sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatusa) as a representative of modern raptors, we evaluated how functional morphology of the jaw and jaw adductor muscles in these animals would contribute to their bite force production. We discuss the implication of our experimental results with respect to characterizing theropod functional morphology and feeding biomechanics. In addition, this study provides insight into the evolutionary transition of toothed-jaws to keratinized and toothless-jaws.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Takashi Maie
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Feeding Biomechanics of Raptors: Evolutionary Perspectives
Hall Memorial Ballroom
The Ostrom’s hypotheses regarding avian evolution state that aves (modern birds) is a derived group of theropod dinosaurs characterized by adaptations for endothermy, feathers, and flight. In vertebrates, the force production via the musculoskeletal system is influenced by several mechanical and physiological factors. During feeding, the force exerted at the teeth for biting can be calculated as a product of the mechanical advantage of the jaw and input force from the jaw adductor muscles for jaw closure. Using replicas of a fossil skull of Velociraptor mongoliensis (Dromaeosauridae) as a representative theropod dinosaur, Archaeopteryx lithographica as a representative of the earliest and most primitive birds, which shares many theropod features and is recognized as a transitional dinosaur-bird specimen, and a sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatusa) as a representative of modern raptors, we evaluated how functional morphology of the jaw and jaw adductor muscles in these animals would contribute to their bite force production. We discuss the implication of our experimental results with respect to characterizing theropod functional morphology and feeding biomechanics. In addition, this study provides insight into the evolutionary transition of toothed-jaws to keratinized and toothless-jaws.