Growing sabers: Mandibular shape and biomechanical performance trajectories during the ontogeny of Smilodon fatalis

[en] The evolution of organisms can be studied through the lens of developmental systems, as the timing of development of morphological features is an important aspect to consider when studying a phenotype. Such data can be challenging to obtain in fossil amniotes due to the scarcity of their fossil record. However, the numerous remains of Rancho La Brea allow a detailed study of the post-natal changes in an extinct sabertoothed felid: Smilodon fatalis. Despite numerous previous studies on the ontogeny of Smilodon, an important question remained open: how did the cubs of Smilodon acquire and process food? By applying 3D geometric morphometrics and finite element analyses to 49 mandibles at various developmental stages (22 of Smilodon fatalis, 23 of Panthera leo, and 4 of early diverging felids), we assess the changes in mandibular shape and performance during growth. Both lions and sabertooths exhibit a shift in mandibular shape, aligning with eruption of the lower carnassial. This marks the end of weaning in lions and suggests a prolonged weaning period in S. fatalis due to its delayed eruption sequence. We also highlight distinct ontogenetic trajectories, with S. fatalis undergoing more post-natal mandibular shape changes. Finally, although S. fatalis appears more efficient than P. leo at performing an anchor bite, this efficiency is acquired through ontogeny and at a quite late age. The delayed shape change compared to P. leo and the low biting efficiency during the growth in Smilodon could indicate an extended duration of the parental care compared to P. leo.

Disciplines :

Zoology
Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others

Author, co-author :

Chatar, Narimane ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab

Boman, Romain ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique

Fischer, Valentin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab

Segura, Valentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas > Unidad Ejecutora Lillo

Julémont, Clara ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Faculté des Sciences > Master en sc. géologiques, fin. approf.

Tseng, Jack; UC Berkeley > Integrative Biology > Functional Anatomy and Vertebrate Evolution Laboratory

Language :

English

Title :

Growing sabers: Mandibular shape and biomechanical performance trajectories during the ontogeny of Smilodon fatalis

Publication date :

2024

Journal title :

Anatomical Record

ISSN :

0003-276X

eISSN :

1097-0185

Publisher :

John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, United States - New Jersey

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Data Set :

3D models

Available on ORBi :

since 20 May 2024

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98 (14 by ULiège)

Number of downloads

54 (4 by ULiège)

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