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.

Related Publications

A new biomechanical model of the mammal jaw based on load path analysis
Alec T. Wilken, Julia A. Schultz, Zhe-Xi Luo, Callum F. Ross. Journal of Experimental Morphology. jeb-247030 (2024) [PDF] [DOI]

Biomechanics of the mandibular middle ear of the cynodont Thrinaxodon and the evolution of mammal hearing
Alec T. Wilken, Chelsie C. G. Snipes, Callum F. Ross, and Zhe-Xi Luo. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 122 (51) e2516082122 (2025) [PDF] [DOI]

Diverse Tongue Base Retraction Strategies Drive Bolus Propulsion during Mammalian Swallowing
Peishu Li, Kaleb C Sellers, Courtney P Orsbon, Jeffrey D Laurence-Chasen, Riya Gumidyala, Madison Yuan, George Huerta, Teresa E Lever, Nicholas J Gidmark, Zhe-Xi Luo, Callum F Ross. Integrative and Comparative Biology. Volume 0, pp. 1–21 (2025) [PDF] [DOI]

Head posture impacts mammalian hyoid position and suprahyoid muscle length: implication for swallowing biomechanics
Peishu Li, Callum F. Ross, Zhe-Xi Luo, Nicholas J. Gidmark. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 378: 20220552. (2023) [PDF] [DOI]

Skull shape and the demands of feeding: a biomechanical study of peccaries (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla)
Hendges, CD, Patterson, BD, Cáceres, NC, Gasparini GM & Ross, CF. Journal of Mammalogy. 100 (2): 475–486 (2019) [DOI]

The Kinematics of Proal Chewing in Rats
E.D. McParland, J.K. Mitchell, J.D. Laurence-Chasen, L.C. Aspinwall, O. Afolabi, K. Takahashi, C.F. Ross and N.J. Gidmark. Integrative Organismal Biology. Volume 6, Issue 1, 2024, obae023 (2024) [DOI]