Patterns in the Evolution of Ungulate Jaw Shape
Open Access
- 1 May 1985
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in American Zoologist
- Vol. 25 (2) , 303-314
- https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/25.2.303
Abstract
A survey of biomechanically significant aspects of the jaw apparatus in 13 orders of recent and fossil ungulates indicates that an expanded angular process evolved independently at least 12 times. Temporal fossa size is reduced inmost ungulatesof modern aspect, but not in many early ungulates. Expansion of the masseter and internal pterygoid musculature (inferred from the expanded angular process) may represent an adaptation for enhanced control of grinding action in mastication.Keywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: