Phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC) is the tendency of lineages to retain their niche‐
related traits through speciation events. A recent surge in the availability of well‐sampled …

Reptilia exploit a large diversity of food resources from plant materials to living mobile prey.
They are among the first tetrapods that needed to drink to maintain their water homeostasis …

This chapter considers the structure, function, and evolution of the feeding system in
nonophidian lepidosaurs—tuatara, lizards, and amphisbaenians. The latter two groups …

Intra-oral food processing, including chewing, is important for safe swallowing and efficient
nutrient assimilation across tetrapods. Gape cycles in tetrapod chewing consist of four …

Computer-based simulation techniques such as multi-body dynamics analysis are becoming
increasingly popular in the field of skull mechanics. Multi-body models can be used for …

In this paper we examine the biomechanics of prey processing behavior in the amniotes.
Whether amniotes swallow prey items whole or swallow highly processed slurries or …

Abstract The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) displays a unique hold and pull‐
feeding technique. Its delicate 'space‐frame'skull morphology differs greatly from that …

Cranial morphology in lepidosaurs is highly disparate and characterised by the frequent loss
or reduction of bony elements. In varanids and geckos, the loss of the postorbital bar is …

Most snakes ingest and transport their prey via a jaw ratcheting mechanism in which the left
and right upper jaw arches are advanced over the prey in an alternating, unilateral fashion …

The role of soft tissues in skull biomechanics remains poorly understood. Not least, the
chondrocranium, the portion of the braincase which persists as cartilage with varying …