3D Jaw muscles of Alligator mississippiensis

3D Model

This 3D model of the semi-aquatic, predatory American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (MUVC AL008) found in southeastern North America illustrates how having such a flat skull changes the orientations of jaw muscles to be in rather horizontal or diagnoal orientations compared to their ancestors. Read more on how the evolution of skull shape in crocodilians affected jaw muscle function in Sellers et al (2022) in in Anatomical Record: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24912. Thanks to the Rockefeller State Refuge, Louisiana for providing access to the specimen. Thanks to National Science Foundation 1631684 for supporting the work.