Radiographs Reveal Exceptional Forelimb Strength in the Sabertooth Cat, Smilodon fatalis
| Autor: | Julie Meachen-Samuels, Blaire Van Valkenburgh |
|---|---|
| Přispěvatelé: | Farke, Andrew Allen |
| Rok vydání: | 2010 |
| Předmět: |
Evolutionary Biology/Paleontology
0106 biological sciences Felidae Smilodon animal structures General Science & Technology Science Evolutionary Biology/Evolutionary Ecology Biology 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Predation 03 medical and health sciences Theoretical Models biology.animal American lion Forelimb medicine Animals Femur Humerus 030304 developmental biology Evolutionary Biology 0303 health sciences Multidisciplinary Anatomy Models Theoretical biology.organism_classification Radiography medicine.anatomical_structure Medicine Panthera Smilodon fatalis Research Article |
| Zdroj: | PloS one, vol 5, iss 7 PLoS ONE, Vol 5, Iss 7, p e11412 (2010) PLoS ONE |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0011412 |
| Popis: | BackgroundThe sabertooth cat, Smilodon fatalis, was an enigmatic predator without a true living analog. Their elongate canine teeth were more vulnerable to fracture than those of modern felids, making it imperative for them to immobilize prey with their forelimbs when making a kill. As a result, their need for heavily muscled forelimbs likely exceeded that of modern felids and thus should be reflected in their skeletons. Previous studies on forelimb bones of S. fatalis found them to be relatively robust but did not quantify their ability to withstand loading.Methodology/principal findingsUsing radiographs of the sabertooth cat, Smilodon fatalis, 28 extant felid species, and the larger, extinct American lion Panthera atrox, we measured cross-sectional properties of the humerus and femur to provide the first estimates of limb bone strength in bending and torsion. We found that the humeri of Smilodon were reinforced by cortical thickening to a greater degree than those observed in any living felid, or the much larger P. atrox. The femur of Smilodon also was thickened but not beyond the normal variation found in any other felid measured.Conclusions/significanceBased on the cross-sectional properties of its humerus, we interpret that Smilodon was a powerful predator that differed from extant felids in its greater ability to subdue prey using the forelimbs. This enhanced forelimb strength was part of an adaptive complex driven by the need to minimize the struggles of prey in order to protect the elongate canines from fracture and position the bite for a quick kill. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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