Abstract
The large mosasaur Tylosaurus is known to have been a predator of large marine animals. Performing beam theory analysis, a computational technique that uses linear dimensions of a structure to calculate its resistance to bending, on the mandibles of six Tylosaurus specimens from the Smoky Hill Chalk of Kansas indicates dorsoventral and mediolateral bending strength both increase posteriorly along the mandible. Comparisons with Varanus komodoensis indicate relatively greater mediolateral bending strength mid-dentary in Tylosaurus, suggesting that resisting torsional forces of struggling prey was more important at this landmark in Tylosaurus and that more of its jaw length was used for prey capture.
Faculty Advisor
Amanda Peng
Department/Program
Geosciences
Submission Type
in-person poster
Date
4-12-2026
Rights
Copyright the Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Price, Andrew I. and Peng, Amanda
(2026)
"Mandibular Ecomorphology of Tylosaurus (Reptilia: Mosasauridae),"
SACAD: Scholarly Activities: Vol. 2026, Article 98.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad/vol2026/iss2026/98
Included in
Biomechanics Commons, Paleobiology Commons, Paleontology Commons, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons
