Figure 2. Finite element stress maps for all theropod skulls modeled at actual size after simulated adductor contraction and biting at the two front teeth.

Areas of high stress are indicated by hotter colors, and low stress is indicated by cooler colors. Gray regions indicate regions with the highest probabilities of structural failure. Note the very high stresses occurring in the basal ambiguous theropod Herrerasaurus.

For larger stress maps of actual-size skulls, see Figure S1.