ArticleAnatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)2025
Growing sabers: Mandibular shape and biomechanical performance trajectories during the ontogeny of Smilodon fatalis.
Article in Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Modelling compressive loading in large-bodied mammals reveals distinct biomechanical strategies in proboscidean humeri.Journal of anatomy · 2026Article
- Growth patterns of theoretical bite force and jaw musculature in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis).Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) · 2026Article
- Ontogenetic changes and sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus L.).Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) · 2026Article
- Growing sabers: Mandibular shape and biomechanical performance trajectories during the ontogeny of Smilodon fatalis.Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) · 2025Article
- Commentary: The missing sabertooth baculum-At what point might the absence of evidence reasonably be considered evidence of absence?Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) · 2025Article
- Commentary: What's so interesting about sabertooths?Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
The evolution of organisms can be studied through the lens of developmental systems, as the timing of development of morphological features is an important aspect to consider when studying a phenotype. Such data can be challenging to obtain in fossil amniotes owing to the scarcity of their fossil record. However, the numerous remains of Rancho La Brea allow a detailed study of the postnatal changes in an extinct sabertoothed felid: Smilodon fatalis. Despite numerous previous studies on the ontogeny of Smilodon, an important question remained open: how did the cubs of Smilodon acquire and process food? By applying 3D geometric morphometrics and finite element analyses to 49 mandibles at various developmental stages (22 of S. fatalis, 23 of Panthera leo, and 4 of early diverging felids), we assess the changes in mandibular shape and performance during growth. Both lions and sabertooths exhibit a shift in mandibular shape, aligning with eruption of the lower carnassial. This marks the end of weaning in lions and suggests a prolonged weaning period in S. fatalis owing to its delayed eruption sequence. We also highlight distinct ontogenetic trajectories, with S. fatalis undergoing more postnatal mandibular shape changes. Finally, although S. fatalis appears more efficient than P. leo at performing an anchor bite, this efficiency is acquired through ontogeny and at a quite late age. The delayed shape change compared with P. leo and the low biting efficiency during the growth in Smilodon could indicate an extended duration of the parental care compared with P. leo.
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