Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T15:37:36.488Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cross-sectional geometric properties of the crocodylian humerus: an exception to Wolff's Law?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2002

Mason B. Meers
Affiliation:
Functional Anatomy and Evolution Program, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, U.S.A.
Get access

Abstract

The cross-sectional geometric properties of the crocodylian humerus were examined in order to assess the effects of differential locomotor behaviour and habitat use on osteological properties. Several biomechanical properties of the humerus were calculated, including resistance to compression and tension, bending and torsion resistance. The biomechanical properties of the crocodylian humerus reflect little variation attributable to locomotor behaviour or natural habitat use (terrestrial vs aquatic habitat). However, the biomechanical properties of captive individuals differed from those of wild conspecifics. The results of this research suggest that crocodylian humeri maintain sufficient resistance to all loading conditions throughout life with little remodelling, though both resorption and remodelling of bone are known to occur. Consequently, crocodylian humeri do not respond to stresses incurred during life as predicted by Wolff's Law.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 The Zoological Society of London

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)