Fig. 1.

Distributions of strain energy density (SED) observed in finite element analyses of M. fascicularis (A, C, E) and A. africanus (B, D, F) during simulated “maximal” bites on the molars alone (A and B), all of the postcanine teeth (i.e., the molars and the premolars) (C and D), and the premolars alone (E and F). SED distributions on the working (biting) side of the finite element models during “maximal” biting are nearly identical to those observed during “normal” biting, although magnitudes are lower in the latter. SED distributions are also nearly identical to those of Von Mises' strain in both models under all loading conditions, indicating that the strain energy stored in both crania is primarily distortional. With respect to size, the models are not drawn to scale.