The ontogeny of bite‐force performance in American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis )
Abstract
American alligators Alligator mississippiensis undergo major transformations in morphology and ecology during development. These include several thousand‐fold changes in body mass, modified snout and dental proportions, and shifts in diet from small, delicate foodstuffs to the inclusion of increasingly larger, more robust prey. How these changes in anatomical form contribute to actual physical performance and niche use is largely unknown. In the present study, bite‐force measurements for 41 specimens of A. mississipiensis , were made throughout ontogeny (hatchling–older adults) using a series of precision force transducers. How this performance indicator scaled with respect to cranial and whole‐body measurements was determined. Bite‐force production throughout development was contrasted with ontogenetic changes in trophic ecology. The influences of this performance measure on these changes were then analysed. The results showed a 800‐fold range (12–9452 N) of bite forces with values positively correlating with increases in body size. Scaling of biting forces through ontogeny showed positive allometry with respect to body mass, head length, jaw length, snout–vent length and total length. These patterns may be attributable to allometric growth of individual skeletal elements (and associated musculature), and/or progressive fusion and ossification of skull and jawbones during development. The overall pattern of force increase throughout ontogeny did not vary in association with…
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The remarkably high bite forces first documented in adult Alligator mississippiensis are typical of most comparable-sized crocodilian species, regardless of rostro-dental anatomy or diet.
“The retention of relative bite-force capacity among crocodilians makes it apparent that the remarkably high bite forces first documented in adult Alligator mississippiensis [14], [15] are typical of most comparable-sized species, regardless of rostro-dental anatomy or diet.”
From Insights into the Ecology and Evolutionary Success of Crocodilians Revealed through Bite-Force and Tooth-Pressure Experimentation (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Adult bite forces are only known for Alligator mississippiensis.
“Adult bite forces are only known for Alligator mississippiensis [14], [15], but are assumed to vary considerably among taxa.”
From Insights into the Ecology and Evolutionary Success of Crocodilians Revealed through Bite-Force and Tooth-Pressure Experimentation (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Prior studies on wild and captive Alligator mississippiensis found statistically indistinguishable bite-force performance in same-sized individuals.
“Our analysis included both male and female specimens since prior studies on wild and captive Alligator mississippiensis bite forces revealed statistically indistinguishable performance in same-sized individuals (i.e. body mass, SVL, TL) [14], [15].”
From Insights into the Ecology and Evolutionary Success of Crocodilians Revealed through Bite-Force and Tooth-Pressure Experimentation (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Previous research has shown that bite-force generation is statistically indistinguishable between same-sized captive and wild Alligator mississippiensis.
“Our previous research has shown that bite-force generation is statistically indistinguishable between same-sized (i.e. body mass, SVL, or TL) captive and wild Alligator mississippiensis [14], [15].”
From Insights into the Ecology and Evolutionary Success of Crocodilians Revealed through Bite-Force and Tooth-Pressure Experimentation (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Forces generated during clenching bites are at least 90% of the maximum values recorded during initial, defensive bites.
“Our data show that the forces generated during such bites are at least 90% of the maximum values recorded during initial, defensive bites [14], [15], [31].”
From Insights into the Ecology and Evolutionary Success of Crocodilians Revealed through Bite-Force and Tooth-Pressure Experimentation (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Cites
Scaling: Why is Animal Size so Important?
Schmidt-Nielsen, K. (1984) · doi:10.1017/cbo9781139167826 · Cited by 2,677 · see citing works
Phylogenetics, taxonomy, and historical biogeography of Alligatoroidea.
Brochu, C. A. (1999) · Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology · doi:10.1080/02724634.1999.10011201 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
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Erickson, G. M., Gignac, P. M., Steppan, S. J., Lappin, A. K., Vliet, K. A., Brueggen, J. D., Inouye, B. D., Kledzik, D., & Webb, G. J. W. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031781 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
“body mass, SVL, or TL) captive and wild Alligator mississippiensis [14], [15].”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citation
- Authors
- Erickson, G. M., Lappin, A. K., & Vliet, K. A.
- Affiliations
- Florida State University (US)
- Northern Arizona University (US)
- University of Florida (US)
- Corresponding author
- Erickson, Gregory M.
- Venue
- Journal of Zoology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2003-07
- Volume
- 260
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 317-327
- ISSN
- 0952-8369 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-7998
- OpenAlex
- W2167374356
- Cited by
- 255
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 4.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Zoology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Geometry and Topology › Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Keywords
- Alligator mississippiensis, bite force, ontogeny, allometry, body size scaling, crocodilians, feeding mechanics, dietary change, force sensor
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