Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27439
Title: The anatomy of a crushing bite: the specialised cranial mechanics of a giant extinct kangaroo
Contributor(s): Mitchell, D Rex  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2019
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.25952/5d523aaaf02d2Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/27439
Related Research Outputs: 10.1017/pab.2018.46
Abstract/Context: The Sthenurinae were a diverse subfamily of short-faced kangaroos that arose in the Miocene and diversified during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Many species possessed skull morphologies that were relatively structurally reinforced with bone, suggesting that they were adapted to incorporate particularly resistant foods into their diets. However, the functional roles of many unique, robust features of the sthenurine cranium are not yet clearly defined. Here, the finite element method is applied to conduct a comprehensive analysis of unilateral biting along the cheek tooth battery of a well-represented sthenurine, Simosthenurus occidentalis. The results are compared with those of an extant species considered to be of most similar ecology and cranial proportions to this species, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). The simulations reveal that the cranium of S. occidentalis could produce and withstand comparatively high forces during unilateral biting. Its greatly expanded zygomatic arches potentially housed enlarged zygomaticomandibularis muscles, shown here to reduce the risk of dislocation of the temporomandibular joint during biting with the rear of a broad, extensive cheek tooth row. This may also be a function of the zygomaticomandibularis in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), another species known to exhibit an enlarged zygomatic arch and hypertrophy of this muscle. Furthermore, the expanded frontal plates of the S. occidentalis cranium form broad arches of bone with the braincase and deepened maxillae that each extend from the anterior tooth rows to their opposing jaw joints. These arches are demonstrated here to be a key feature in resisting high torsional forces during unilateral premolar biting on large, resistant food items. This supports the notion that S. occidentalis fed thick, lignified vegetation directly to the cheek teeth in a similar manner to that described for the giant panda when crushing mature bamboo culms.
Publication Type: Dataset
Fields of Research (FOR): 070702 Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
110601 Biomechanics
060206 Palaeoecology
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300902 Veterinary anatomy and physiology
420701 Biomechanics
310306 Palaeoecology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO): 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences
Keywords: Finite Element Analysis
Herbivory
Marsupial
Australia
Cranium
Feeding biomechanics
Torsion
Zygomaticomandibularis
Constrained Lever Model
Sthenurinae
Simosthenurus occidentalis
HERDC Category Description: X Dataset
Description: This dataset contains STL files of Simosthenurus occidentalis and Phascolarctos cinereus crania and mandibles for 3D modelling. The related publication, published earlier this year (10.1017/pab.2018.46), examines the skulls of twelve species, including the two species included in this dataset. The models for these same two species in the related study were generated from these same files, but for entirely different hypotheses and tests.
Primary Contact Details: D Rex Mitchell
Dataset Custodian Details: D Rex Mitchell
Appears in Collections:Dataset
School of Environmental and Rural Science

Files in This Item:
5 files
File Description SizeFormat 
S_occidentalis_SAMAP16648_cranium.stl
  Restricted Access
Surface mesh of Simosthenurus cranium34.36 MBSTLView/Open    Request a copy
S_occidentalis_SAMAP16669_mandible.stl
  Restricted Access
Surface mesh of Simosthenurus mandible7.3 MBSTLView/Open    Request a copy
koala_NR1191_cranium.stl
  Restricted Access
Surface mesh of koala cranium36.2 MBSTLView/Open    Request a copy
koala_NR1191_mandible.stl
  Restricted Access
Surface mesh of koala mandible3.88 MBSTLView/Open    Request a copy
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