If modeling a BFU of 100 for a comparable skull architecture, what was Thylacoleo's consistent relative bite force unit (BFU)?
Answer
A BFU of well over 100 relative to its smaller mass.
To illustrate the extreme mechanical efficiency achieved by Thylacoleo, researchers utilized conceptual scaling comparisons. If a hypothetical bite force unit (BFU) of 100 is assigned to a large modern predator with a similar general skull style, Thylacoleo consistently modeled to achieve a BFU significantly higher than that benchmark, despite its smaller physical stature. This concept demonstrates that the structural advantages—the mechanical leverage and efficient muscle channeling—translated an average muscular contraction into an exceptional output force concentrated precisely at the teeth. This result solidifies its position as an outlier in mammalian biting specialization.
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