Research Interests

My research program in evolutionary morphology focuses on the biomechanics of the head, with special emphasis on the feeding apparatus. The feeding research seeks to document in vivo functioning of the feeding system using bone strain, electromyographic, videofluoroscopic and optico-kinematic techniques. These data are used to test hypotheses regarding the functional significance of variation in the morphology of the feeding system, as well as other systems in the skull. I am currently investigating the scaling of safety factors and temporal variables in feeding kinematics and kinetics in primates to determine whether common principles apply to the locomotor and feeding systems. This includes questions regarding the modulation of motor activity during chewing and swallowing, performance costs, and common principles governing scaling of the skeletal system. My future research will expand this to studies of a wider range of vertebrate species.

I am currently initiating a collaborative research program on the ontogeny of alligator feeding. This research will document ontogenetic scaling in kinematic, bone strain, muscle architecture, and electromyographic variables, along with data on material properties from the bones and sutures of the mandible.

I am also involved in a collaborative research project with a number of physical anthropologists to develop finite-element models of primate skulls and use them to test hypotheses regarding the functional determinants of skull form. This will include analyses of fossil hominids.

I am interested in advising students interested in questions regarding feeding biomechanics in terrestrial vertebrates.

Selected Publications

Herrel, A., Schaerlaeken, V., Meyers, J.J., Metzger, K.A. and Ross, C.F. (2007) The evolution of cranial design and performance in squamates: Consequences of skull bone reduction on feeding behavior. Integrative and Comparative Biology. (pdf )

Ross, C.F., Eckhardt, A., Herrel, A., Hylander, W.L., Metzger, K.A., Schaerlaeken, V. and Washington, R.L. (2007) Modulation of intra-oral processing in mammals and lepidosaurs. Integrative and Comparative Biology. (pdf)

Ross, C.F., Dharia, R., Herring, S.W., Hylander, W.L., Liu, Z.-J., Rafferty, K.L., Ravosa, M.J. and Williams, S.H. (2007) Modulation of mandibular loading and bite force in mammals during mastication. Journal of Experimental Biology. 210: 1046-1063. (pdf)

Ross, C.F. and Kirk E.C. (2007) Evolution of eye size and shape in primates. J. Hum. Evol. 52: 294-313. (pdf) (data)

Ross, C.F. and Martin, R.D. (2007) The role of vision in the origin and evolution of primates. In: Evolution of Nervous Systems. Volume 4: The Evolution of Primate Nervous Systems. Todd M. Preuss and Jon Kaas (eds.). Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 59-78. (pdf)

Hall, M.I. and Ross, C.F. (2007) Eye shape and activity pattern in birds. Journal of Zoology. 271: 437-444. (pdf)

Heesy, C.P., Ross, C.F. and Demes, B.D. (2006) Oculomotor stability and the functions of the postorbital bar and septum. In: Primate Origins: Adaptation and Evolution. M.J. Ravosa and M. Dagosto (eds.). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, pp. 257-283. (pdf)

Ross, C.F., Hall, M.I. and Heesy, C.P. (2006) Were basal primates nocturnal? Evidence from eye and orbit shape. In: Primate Origins: Adaptation and Evolution. M.J. Ravosa and M. Dagosto (eds.). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, pp. 233-256. (pdf)

Trueb, L., Ross, C.F. and Smith, R. (2005) A new pipoid anuran from the Late Cretaceous of South Africa. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 25(3): 533-547. (pdf)

Martin, R.D. and Ross, C.F. (2005) The evolutionary and ecological context of primate vision. In: The Primate Visual System. J. Kremers (ed.). John Wiley and Sons, pp. 1-36. (pdf)

Available publications can be downloaded at http://rosslab.uchicago.edu/publications.html

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