Functional reorganisation of the cranial skeleton during the cynodont-mammaliaform transition.

ABSTRACT: Skeletal simplification occurred in multiple vertebrate clades over the last 500 million years, including the evolution from premammalian cynodonts to mammals. This transition is characterised by the loss and reduction of cranial bones, the emergence of a novel jaw joint, and the rearrangement of the jaw musculature. These modifications have long been hypothesised to increase skull strength and efficiency during feeding. Here, we combine digital reconstruction and biomechanical modelling to show that there is no evidence for an increase in cranial strength and biomechanical performance. Our analyses demonstrate the selective functional reorganisation of the cranial skeleton, leading to reduced stresses in the braincase and the skull roof but increased stresses in the zygomatic region throu

SUBMITTER: Lautenschlager S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10097706 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature