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Simple Predictors Of Bite Force In Bats: The Good, The Better, And The Better Still, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
Simple Predictors Of Bite Force In Bats: The Good, The Better, And The Better Still, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers
Bite forces of 39 species from six families of New World bats with a variety of diets are quantified with a force meter under field conditions. Using regression approaches we search for a model that is a good morphological predictor of these bite forces. Body mass, an index that ignores differences in skull morphology, has a statistically significant relationship with bite force (R2 = 0.76) but is a relatively poor predictor compared with our best model (R2 = 0.94). The two best models of the eight we examine are one based on an estimate of strength …
Puncture-Resistance Of Gloves For Handling Bats, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
Puncture-Resistance Of Gloves For Handling Bats, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers
We quantified protection given by a variety of gloves against bat bites by using steel indenters to simulate teeth and measuring forces needed to puncture the gloves. Level of protection given by gloves was compared to expected bite forces and tooth sharpness of bats. Cotton, plastic-coated synthetic fabric, and proprietary materials advertised as puncture- and cut-resistant were easy to penetrate compared to leather gloves. Split leather gives the highest level of protection, but with reduced dexterity. These are best for handling larger bats (>40 g) or if higher safety is preferred. Deerskin gives reasonable protection without much loss in …
Measuring Bite Force In Small Mammals With A Piezo-Resistive Sensor, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
Measuring Bite Force In Small Mammals With A Piezo-Resistive Sensor, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers
We tested the use of piezo-resistive force sensors to measure bite force in small mammals. These force sensors are thin (less than 1 mm) and can be used to measure forces up to 4,500 N. A battery-operated unit, ideal for field research, can be built easily and inexpensively. We tested this sensor in the laboratory and in the field on a variety of small mammals. Although our results indicate that the sensor is somewhat less accurate (coefficient of variation = 4%) than a conventional load cell, the small size and ease of use of the piezo-resistive detector is highly desirable. …
A Simple Morphological Predictor Of Bite Force In Rodents, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
A Simple Morphological Predictor Of Bite Force In Rodents, Patricia W. Freeman, Cliff A. Lemen
University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers
Bite force was quantified for 13 species of North American rodents using a piezo-resistive sensor. Most of the species measured (11) formed a tight relationship between body mass and bite force (log 10(bite force) = 0.43(log 10(body mass)) + 0.416; R2 > 0.98). This high correlation exists despite the ecological (omnivores, grazers and more carnivorous) and taxonomic (Cricetidae, Heteromyidae, Sciuridae and Zapodidae) diversity of species. Two additional species, Geomys bursarius (Geomyidae) and a Sciurus niger (Sciuridae), bit much harder for their size. We found a simple index of strength based on two measurements of the incisor at the level of …