Meeting Abstract

P3-49A   15:30 - 17:30  A comparison of bite out-lever length and gape angle on bite-force performance in two lizards with streptostyly Garcia, PG*; Deban, SM; University of South Florida; University of South Florida pablogarcia@usf.edu

In jaws with simple lever mechanics, increasing bite out-lever or gape angle is expected to result in lower bite force. Many lizards exhibit cranial kinesis, which may alter how bite out-lever and gape angle impact bite performance. Anolis sagrei were tested in situ using muscle stimulation of pithed lizards and Leiocephalus carinatus were tested in vivo to investigate the effect of bite out-lever and gape angle on bite-force performance in these lizards which exhibit streptostyly, a simple form of cranial kinesis. A range of bite out-lever lengths were tested along the tooth row of each species and a range of gape angles were tested at an anterior jaw position. In vivo results confirm results from in situ experiments, that lizards exhibiting streptostyly deviate from lever mechanics of a single-jointed mechanism, with forces at posterior bite positions higher than expected based on predictions derived from the law of the lever.