Ontogenetic changes in bite force and gape in tufted capuchins

Laird MF, Kanno CM, Yoakum, CB, Fogaça, MD, Taylor AB, Ross, CF, Chalk-Wilayto, J, Holmes, MA, Terhune, CE, de Oliveira, JA. (2023) Journal of Experimental Biology jeb.245972. doi: 10.1242/jeb.245972

New paper from the Panagiotopoulou/Reid/Ross collaboration

The biomechanics of chewing and suckling in the infant: A potential mechanism for physiologic metopic suture closure.

Pranav N. Haravu, Miguel Gonzalez, Shelby L. Nathan, Callum F. Ross, Olga Panagiotopoulou, Russell R. Reid

New Ross Lab paper on macaques as models for human mandibular fracture fixation

Macaca mulatta is a good model for human mandibular fixation research

This paper is a product of our collaborations with Dr. Russell Reid MD, PhD at University of Chicago, Olga Pangiotopoulou, PhD at Monash. Two Pritzker School of Medical Medicine students worked on this paper, with Pranav Haravu leading the charge. Thanks to all involved.

Figure 4.

New Ross Lab paper on sagittal suture strain in capuchins

Thanks to Craig Byron for leading the charge on this great paper reporting in vivo bone strain from multiple sites across the sagittal suture in capuchins. These are important data on the variation in strain along the suture and across different behaviors.

Sagittal suture strain in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus and Cebus) during feeding

Craig Byron | David Reed | Jose Iriarte-Diaz | Qian Wang | David Strait | Myra F. Laird | Callum F. Ross

 

lizard

Non-mammalian vertebrates

The Ross Lab has a long-standing interest in the evolutionary biomechanics of non-mammalian vertebrates, especially crocodylians and lepidosaurs.

opossum

Non-primate mammals

The Ross Lab is working closely with the Luo Lab to better understand the evolution of the mammalian mandible. We are using the opossum feeding system as a tool for understanding how best to model transformations of mandible form in early mammals. Kelsey Stilson is studying the role of periodontal afferents in control of 3d jaw movements during chewing in opossums. Alec Wilken is studying loading and strain regimes in the mandibles of opossums and early mammals.

macaquestrain

Primate mandibles

We are working with Olga Panagiotopoulou at Monash University on finite element modeling of the mandible of Macaca during feeding and with Felippe Prado’s team at UNICAMP in Brazil of FEM of the mandible of Sapajus.

DSC06060

Primate crania

The Ross Lab has a long standing interest in craniofacial function during feeding in primates. Experimental studies are informing studies of muscle architecture dynamics and sagittal suture function in capuchins.

Project Primate feeding behavior

Primate feeding behavior

Field studies of wild capuchins in Brazil and Suriname (with Barth Wright, Kristin Wright and David Strait) have yielded important data on relationships between feeding behavior, food mechanical properties, and feeding posture. This important work continues with ontogenetic studies of capuchin feeding behavior under Myra Laird, Claire Terhune, Janine Chalk-Wilayto, and Megan Holmes.