Journal
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
Volume 305, Issue 10, Pages 3016-3030Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ar.25011
Keywords
crocodylia; microCT; jaw muscles; biomechanics; 3D modeling
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Funding
- Missouri Research Board
- National Science Foundation [NSF DBI 1902242, NSF EAR 1631684, NSF EAR 1762458, NSF IOS 1457319]
- University of Missouri Research Council
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New imaging and biomechanical approaches have led to a renaissance in our understanding of crocodylian anatomy, particularly in the study of jaw muscles. These approaches, such as iodine-contrast microCT and 3D modeling, provide new insights into the anatomy, diversity, and function of jaw muscles and the heads of crocodylians.
New imaging and biomechanical approaches have heralded a renaissance in our understanding of crocodylian anatomy. Here, we review a series of approaches in the preparation, imaging, and functional analysis of the jaw muscles of crocodylians. Iodine-contrast microCT approaches are enabling new insights into the anatomy of muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues of embryonic as well as adult specimens of alligators. These imaging data and other muscle modeling methods offer increased accuracy of muscle sizes and attachments without destructive methods like dissection. 3D modeling approaches and imaging data together now enable us to see and reconstruct 3D muscle architecture which then allows us to estimate 3D muscle resultants, but also measurements of pennation in ways not seen before. These methods have already revealed new information on the ontogeny, diversity, and function of jaw muscles and the heads of alligators and other crocodylians. Such approaches will lead to enhanced and accurate analyses of form, function, and evolution of crocodylians, their fossil ancestors and vertebrates in general.
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