Computational biomechanical modelling of the rabbit cranium during mastication (2021)
Journal Article
Watson, P. J., Sharp, A. C., Choudhary, T., Fagan, M. J., Dutel, H., Evans, S. E., & Gröning, F. (2021). Computational biomechanical modelling of the rabbit cranium during mastication. Scientific reports, 11(1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92558-5

Although a functional relationship between bone structure and mastication has been shown in some regions of the rabbit skull, the biomechanics of the whole cranium during mastication have yet to be fully explored. In terms of cranial biomechanics, th... Read More about Computational biomechanical modelling of the rabbit cranium during mastication.

Regional patterning in tail vertebral form and function in chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) (2021)
Journal Article
Luger, A. M., Watson, P. J., Dutel, H., Fagan, M. J., Van Hoorebeke, L., Herrel, A., & Adriaens, D. (2021). Regional patterning in tail vertebral form and function in chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Integrative and Comparative Biology, 61(2), 455-463. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab125

Previous studies have focused on documenting shape variation in the caudal vertebrae in chameleons underlying prehensile tail function. The goal of this study was to test the impact of this variation on tail function using multibody dynamic analysis... Read More about Regional patterning in tail vertebral form and function in chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus).

Correction to: Evolutionary biomechanics: Hard tissues and soft evidence? (Proc. R. Soc. B (2021) 288 (20202809) DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2809) (2021)
Journal Article
Broyde, S., Dempsey, M., Wang, L., Cox, P. G., Fagan, M., & Bates, K. T. (2021). Correction to: Evolutionary biomechanics: Hard tissues and soft evidence? (Proc. R. Soc. B (2021) 288 (20202809) DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2809). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 288(1950), Article 20202809. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0831

Further analysis of our finite element (FE) models, as part of ongoing work, has revealed a systematic error running through all 30 models in our original analysis. In all 30 FE models, the force magnitudes applied to represent maximum isometric cont... Read More about Correction to: Evolutionary biomechanics: Hard tissues and soft evidence? (Proc. R. Soc. B (2021) 288 (20202809) DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2809).

Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design (2021)
Journal Article
Groning, F., Dutel, H., Gröning, F., Sharp, A. C., Watson, P. J., Herrel, A., …Fagan, M. J. (2021). Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design. The journal of experimental biology, 224(5), Article jeb.234831. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.234831

Cranial morphology in lepidosaurs is highly disparate and characterised by the frequent loss or reduction of bony elements. In varanids and geckos, the loss of the postorbital bar is associated with changes in skull shape, but the mechanical principl... Read More about Comparative cranial biomechanics in two lizard species: impact of variation in cranial design.

Evolutionary biomechanics: hard tissues and soft evidence? (2021)
Journal Article
Broyde, S., Dempsey, M., Wang, L., Cox, P. G., Fagan, M., & Bates, K. T. (2021). Evolutionary biomechanics: hard tissues and soft evidence?. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 288(1945), Article 20202809. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.2809

Biomechanical modelling is a powerful tool for quantifying the evolution of functional performance in extinct animals to understand key anatomical innovations and selective pressures driving major evolutionary radiations. However, the fossil record i... Read More about Evolutionary biomechanics: hard tissues and soft evidence?.