Vertebral bending mechanics and xenarthrous morphology in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

@article{Oliver2016VertebralBM,
  title={Vertebral bending mechanics and xenarthrous morphology in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)},
  author={Jillian D. Oliver and Katrina E. Jones and Lionel Hautier and William J. Loughry and Stephanie E. Pierce},
  journal={Journal of Experimental Biology},
  year={2016},
  volume={219},
  pages={2991 - 3002}
}
ABSTRACT The vertebral column has evolved to accommodate the broad range of locomotor pressures found across vertebrate lineages. Xenarthran (armadillos, sloths and anteaters) vertebral columns are characterized by xenarthrous articulations, novel intervertebral articulations located in the posterior trunk that are hypothesized to stiffen the vertebral column to facilitate digging. To determine the degree to which xenarthrous articulations impact vertebral movement, we passively measured… 
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