The cause of the loss of teeth is still unclear. Therefore, the loss of teeth in Ornithorhynchus is unlikely to be attributable to the lack of their necessity given that commutation of food remains an important component of feeding in the living animal. In contrast, the adult extant platypus still masticates its prey by using horny pads, located in the same position as the cheek teeth of Obdurodon, to crush items being consumed ( 2). Many mammals have lost their teeth as a result of evolution, including echidnas, anteaters, and baleen whales, but none of these edentulous animals actually masticate their prey with their jaw moving ( 7). For example, Ornithorhynchus has no teeth as adults in contrast to Obdurodon, which had fully functional cheek teeth. However, there are also several notable morphological differences. Morphological similarities in bill structure between these species suggest that they may have filled similar ecological niches.
anatinus and a seemingly well-developed trigeminal nerve, similar to the extant platypus ( 4– 6). The Miocene monotreme Obdurodon dicksoni has a larger bill than Or. Well-developed electroreceptivity in monotremes is known at least as far back as the early Cretaceous however, there are differences in the extent of elaboration of the feature among members of the ornithorhynchid lineage.Įxtant platypuses ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus) forage at the bottom of streams with their eyes closed, using only electro- and mechanoreception ( 1– 3). Hence, loss of functional teeth in Ornithorhynchus may possibly have resulted from a shift in foraging behavior and coordinate elaboration of the electroreceptive sensory system. Computed tomography imagery indicates that the enlarged infraorbital canal of Ornithorhynchus restricts the space available for maxillary tooth roots. Whereas bill-focused sensory perception was likely shared among Mesozoic monotremes, the highly developed electrosensory system of Ornithorhynchus may represent an adaptation to foraging in cloudy water. The infraorbital foramen of Obdurodon, through which the maxillary nerve passes sensory data from the bill to the brain, is relatively less developed than that of Ornithorhynchus. Results indicate that the bill of Obdurodon is more dorsally deflected than that of Ornithorhynchus, suggesting a pelagic foraging behavior in Obdurodon compared to the bottom-feeding behavior in Ornithorhynchus. To estimate differences in foraging, sensory systems, and anatomical divergence between these monotremes, we compared their skull morphologies. We hypothesize that Ornithorhynchus and the Miocene taxon Obdurodon have different sensory capacities, which may have resulted from differences in foraging behavior. We 3D scanned original skulls and created these copies which can be easily handled by students without damage risk to the originals.The modern platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, has an eye structure similar to aquatic mammals however, platypuses also have a “sixth sense” associated with the bill electro- and mechanoreception that they use without opening their eyes underwater.
These are 3D printed replica platypus skulls made buy a wildlife lecturer interested in making the specimen collection more accessible. This file is from the Open Press Project.
PLATYPUS SKULL 3D PRINT PORTABLE
The student 3D modelled on various cuts, gashes, blisters and burns, 3D printed the feet and painted the models.Ī portable printing press made by an arts student to create mini prints. This project is a custom disability aid which will be a huge benefit to the client and also be a great portfolio project for the student.Īn industry placement student project to make a wound model for training on a foot. This hand splint was made by 3D scanning a cast of the patient’s hand and 3D printed. They were able to get a plan together to start teaching young students about electricity.Ī huge 3D printed sign for the Leadership Conversations series.Ī student working on an extracurricular project for a client at Toowoomba Hand Therapy.
PLATYPUS SKULL 3D PRINT HOW TO
They made their own batches of conductive and insulative playdough at home and use the Makerspace electronics consumables to get an idea of how to make parallel circuits. Pictured below are education students trying out squishy circuits for the first time. A huge month with lots of great projects.
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