Biomechanical analyses of Cambrian euarthropod limbs reveal their effectiveness in mastication and durophagy.

ABSTRACT: Durophagy arose in the Cambrian and greatly influenced the diversification of biomineralized defensive structures throughout the Phanerozoic. Spinose gnathobases on protopodites of Cambrian 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 of two Cambrian trilobites with prominent gnathobases-Redlichia rex and Olenoides serratus-and compare these to the protopodites of the Cambrian euarthropod Sidneyia inexpectans and the modern American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. Results show that L. polyphemus, S. inexpectans and R. rex have broadly similar microstrain patterns, reflecting effective dur

SUBMITTER: Bicknell RDC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7893260 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature