Dicynodonts were a diverse group of herbivorous therapsids from the PermoTriassic. Differences in cranial morphology among the Dicynodontia have been correlated with changes in masticatory function, and hence, dietary preference. Cranial specialisations of Lystrosaurus were hypothesised to have increased the efficiency of its masticatory system relative to generalised Permian dicynodonts. To test this hypothesis, the cranial function of Lystrosaurus is compared with the generalised dicynodont Oudenodon using finite element analysis (FEA), a computational analysis of structural form, in combination with investigations of cranial sutural morphology and bone histology.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:492469 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Jasinoski, Sandra Christine |
| Publisher | University of Bristol |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0014 seconds