Nature & Environment
T. rex Opened Its Massive Jaw Very Wide to Munch on Dinosaurs
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Nov 04, 2015 08:39 AM EST
How bad was the bite of a T. rex? Researchers have taken a closer look at the jaws of a T. rex and have found that the feeding style and dietary preferences of dinosaurs was closely linked to how wide they could open their jaws.
In this latest study, the researchers used digital models and computer analyses to study the muscle strain during jaw opening of three different theropod dinosaurs with different dietary habits. Theropods were a diverse group of two-legged dinosaurs that included tyrannosaurs.
"Theropod dinosaurs, such as a Tyrannosaurus rex or Allosaurus, are often depicted with widely-opened jaws, presumably to emphasize their carnivorous nature," said Stephan Lautenschlager, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Yet up to now, no studies have actually focused on the relation between jaw musculature, feeding style and the maximal possible jaw gape."
In this latest study, the researchers looked at Tyrannosaurus rex and Allosaurus fragilis, which is a more lightly built but predatory theropod, in addition to Erlikosaurus andrewsi, which is a closely related but plant-eating member of the theropod family.
The researchers created detailed computer models to simulate jaw opening and closing, while measuring the length changes in the digital muscles. The dinosaur species in the study were also compared to their living relatives, crocodiles and birds.
In the end, the researchers found that the carnivorous dinosaurs were capable for a wide gape-up to 90 degrees. The herbivorous dinosaur had a small gape of 45 degrees.
In addition, the researchers found that the Tyrannosaurus could produce a sustained muscle and bit force for a wide range of jaw angles, which would be necessary for biting through meat and skin and crushing bone.
"We know from living animals that carnivores are usually capable of larger jaw gapes than herbivores, and it is interesting to see that this also appears to be the case in theropod dinosaurs."
The findings are published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
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TagsDinosaurs, baby dinosaur fossils, Dinosaur, Extendable Jaws, Fossil, fossils, Tyrannosaur, T. rex ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
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First Posted: Nov 04, 2015 08:39 AM EST
How bad was the bite of a T. rex? Researchers have taken a closer look at the jaws of a T. rex and have found that the feeding style and dietary preferences of dinosaurs was closely linked to how wide they could open their jaws.
In this latest study, the researchers used digital models and computer analyses to study the muscle strain during jaw opening of three different theropod dinosaurs with different dietary habits. Theropods were a diverse group of two-legged dinosaurs that included tyrannosaurs.
"Theropod dinosaurs, such as a Tyrannosaurus rex or Allosaurus, are often depicted with widely-opened jaws, presumably to emphasize their carnivorous nature," said Stephan Lautenschlager, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Yet up to now, no studies have actually focused on the relation between jaw musculature, feeding style and the maximal possible jaw gape."
In this latest study, the researchers looked at Tyrannosaurus rex and Allosaurus fragilis, which is a more lightly built but predatory theropod, in addition to Erlikosaurus andrewsi, which is a closely related but plant-eating member of the theropod family.
The researchers created detailed computer models to simulate jaw opening and closing, while measuring the length changes in the digital muscles. The dinosaur species in the study were also compared to their living relatives, crocodiles and birds.
In the end, the researchers found that the carnivorous dinosaurs were capable for a wide gape-up to 90 degrees. The herbivorous dinosaur had a small gape of 45 degrees.
In addition, the researchers found that the Tyrannosaurus could produce a sustained muscle and bit force for a wide range of jaw angles, which would be necessary for biting through meat and skin and crushing bone.
"We know from living animals that carnivores are usually capable of larger jaw gapes than herbivores, and it is interesting to see that this also appears to be the case in theropod dinosaurs."
The findings are published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
Related Stories
Tyrannosaur May Have Killed and Then Cannibalized Fellow Dinosaur
300 Million-Year-Old Super-Shark Fossils Discovered in Texas
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone