https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:43191 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 durophagous abilities. Conversely, low microstrain values across the O. serratus protopodite suggest that the elongate gnathobasic spines transferred minimal strain, implying that this species was less well-adapted to masticate hard prey. These results confirm that Cambrian euarthropods with transversely elongate protopodites bearing short, robust gnathobasic spines were likely durophages. Comparatively, taxa with shorter protopodites armed with long spines, such as O. serratus, were more likely restricted to a soft food diet. The prevalence of Cambrian gnathobase-bearing euarthropods and their various feeding specializations may have accelerated the development of complex trophic relationships within early animal ecosystems, especially the 'arms race' between predators and biomineralized prey.]]> Wed 14 Sep 2022 09:05:36 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:14920 Wed 11 Apr 2018 15:17:15 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:15686 Wed 11 Apr 2018 12:24:41 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:28015 Varanus salvadorii displayed high strain levels during shaking, especially in the areas between the orbits. All models exhibit less strain during pull back loading compared to shake loading, even though a larger force was applied (pull =30N, shake = 20N). Relationships were identified between the morphology, performance, and ecology. Species that did not feed on hard prey clustered in the gracile region of cranial morphospace and exhibited significantly higher levels of strain during biting (P = 0.0106). Species that fed on large prey clustered in the elongate area of mandible morphospace. This relationship differs from those that have been identified in other taxonomic groups such as crocodiles and mammals. This difference may be due to a combination of the open 'space-frame' structure of the varanoid lizard skull, and the 'pull back' behaviour that some species use for processing large prey.]]> Wed 11 Apr 2018 10:46:37 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:22757 Wed 11 Apr 2018 09:58:00 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:4453 Wed 11 Apr 2018 09:49:04 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:44123 Thu 24 Aug 2023 12:27:59 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:15056 Thu 23 Jan 2025 14:49:49 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:8224 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:40:37 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:10737 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:14:30 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:20075 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:00:10 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:18014 Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:56:38 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:5410 Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:48:08 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:5356 Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:44:00 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:3448 150 years of study, many questions remain concerning its predatory behavior. Were the “sabers” used to take down large prey? Were prey killed with an eviscerating bite to the abdomen? Was its bite powerful or weak compared with that of modern big cats? Here we quantitatively assess the sabercat's biomechanical performance using the most detailed computer reconstructions yet developed for the vertebrate skull. Our results demonstrate that bite force driven by jaw muscles was relatively weak in S. fatalis, one-third that of a lion (Panthera leo) of comparable size, and its skull was poorly optimized to resist the extrinsic loadings generated by struggling prey. Its skull is better optimized for bites on restrained prey where the bite is augmented by force from the cervical musculature. We conclude that prey were brought to ground and restrained before a killing bite, driven in large part by powerful cervical musculature. Because large prey is easier to restrain if its head is secured, the killing bite was most likely directed to the neck. We suggest that the more powerful jaw muscles of P. leo may be required for extended, asphyxiating bites and that the relatively low bite forces in S. fatalis might reflect its ability to kill large prey more quickly, avoiding the need for prolonged bites.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:20:26 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:32266 Crocodylus porosus). A better understanding of this until now poorly known system in C. porosus is important, not only because it will expand research into crocodilian locomotion, but because of its potential to inform muscle reconstructions in dinosaur taxa. Muscles of the forelimb and hindlimb are described and three-dimensional interactive models are included based on CT and MRI scans as well as fresh-tissue dissections. Differences in the arrangement of musculature between C. porosus and other groups within the Crocodylia were found. In the forelimb, differences are restricted to a single tendon of origin for triceps longus medialis. For the hindlimb, a reduction in the number of heads of ambiens was noted as well as changes to the location of origin and insertion for iliofibularis and gastrocnemius externus.]]> Mon 23 Sep 2019 13:51:54 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:41837 Megaloceros giganteus. It has been argued that their antlers were too large for use in fighting, instead being used only in ritualized displays to attract mates. Here, we used finite-element analysis to test whether the antlers of M. giganteus could have withstood forces generated during fighting. We compared the mechanical performance of antlers in M. giganteus with three extant deer species: red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and elk (Alces alces). Von Mises stress results suggest that M. giganteus was capable of withstanding some fighting loads, provided that their antlers interlocked proximally, and that their antlers were best adapted for withstanding loads from twisting rather than pushing actions, as are other deer with palmate antlers. We conclude that fighting in M. giganteus was probably more constrained and predictable than in extant deer.]]> Fri 12 Aug 2022 14:02:19 AEST ]]>