This project will lead to far more detailed understanding of skull mechanics in our own lineage. Results will be of great interest to international scholars in both evolutionary and biomedical fields and help to establish a primary position for Australia in the rapidly expanding area of computer simulation of biological structure. Further development on our own established protocols for automated transfer of CT scan data into finite element models, which have already improved speed, accuracy and realism, will take finite element analysis to a point at which it can be more readily applied to evolutionary, biomedical and safety design questions.

Darwin's theory of evolution natural selection is one of the most successful in the history of science and provides the framework for modern biology: however, areas of debate or uncertainty are often misinterpreted by non-scientists as indication of fundamental flaws in the theory. New 'hi-tech' tools provide the opportunity to re-examine these areas, and also to demonstrate the process of science to the public. The new tool is Computational Biomechanics, the future of studying biological form, and this project will further develop the leading role of Australian research in this technology which has applications for palaeontology, environmental management, medical science, and the next generation of engineering using 'biomaterials'.

Understanding the relationship between structure and function in the vertebrate feeding apparatus is elemental to studies of evolution and ecology. The great white shark is the world's largest predatory fish, and this together with the fact that it is both a threatened species and an occasional threat to humans has made it the subject of considerable scientific attention. However, the relationship between form and function in the jaws of this notorious predator is poorly understood. The same can be said for most shark species. Our aim here is to generate and analyse sophisticated digital models of the great white and two other shark species known to prey on humans, the tiger and bull. Central to our approach is the Finite Element (FE) method, a powerful new tool in the study of biomechanics and an area in which my team is now a world leader. Application of this approach will allow us to quantitatively describe the performance boundaries of these species and identify salient differences between them. This will provide an important basis for understanding the evolution of their feeding behaviours and ecologies, as well as aiding in the design of shark-proof devices.

ARC Discovery Projects
2006-2010

Dr Stephen Wroe
The University of New South Wales
DP0666374 Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship
Project Title: Australia's mammalian carnivore diversity in space and time

To more effectively address the current extinction crisis we need to understand past diversity. This research program will comprehensively investigate the diversity of mammalian carnivores on three continents over geological time. Results will provide insight into whether the evolution of Australia's mammal carnivores differs fundamentally from those of other continents, as has often been suggested but not quantitatively demonstrated. Studies focused in the present are important, but often miss critical factors that can only be clarified through analyses with deep time perspectives. The findings will translate into an improved understanding of what makes Australia unique and better informed decisions regarding wildlife management.

 

With 26 species, occupying all states and territories excepting Tasmania, Australian varanids (goannas) comprise the majority of world’s species and a signature element of our biota. Unusual among lizards with respect to various features, including high metabolic scope and relatively large brains, their biology and ecology have received considerable scientific attention. However, although widely recognised as an area in which further effort is needed, relationships between varanid cranial form and function remains poorly known. In this project techniques that developed in studies of mammalian cranial mechanics will be applied to produce and analyse the first realistic computer models of the varanid skull. Results will address the role of biomechanical performance in defining niche and community structure among varanids and provide a quantitative basis for the prediction of feeding behaviour in theropod dinosaurs.