Title |
Radiographs Reveal Exceptional Forelimb Strength in the Sabertooth Cat, Smilodon fatalis
|
---|---|
Published in |
PLOS ONE, July 2010
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0011412 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Julie A. Meachen-Samuels, Blaire Van Valkenburgh |
Abstract |
The sabertooth cat, Smilodon fatalis, was an enigmatic predator without a true living analog. Their elongate canine teeth were more vulnerable to fracture than those of modern felids, making it imperative for them to immobilize prey with their forelimbs when making a kill. As a result, their need for heavily muscled forelimbs likely exceeded that of modern felids and thus should be reflected in their skeletons. Previous studies on forelimb bones of S. fatalis found them to be relatively robust but did not quantify their ability to withstand loading. |
X Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 3 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 1 | 33% |
Unknown | 2 | 67% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 2 | 67% |
Scientists | 1 | 33% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 66 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 3 | 5% |
Canada | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 62 | 94% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 11 | 17% |
Other | 10 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 8 | 12% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 7 | 11% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 6 | 9% |
Other | 14 | 21% |
Unknown | 10 | 15% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 23 | 35% |
Earth and Planetary Sciences | 14 | 21% |
Environmental Science | 4 | 6% |
Unspecified | 3 | 5% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 3% |
Other | 8 | 12% |
Unknown | 12 | 18% |