Abstract
BackgroundIn this paper, we propose a new method, named the intervals’ method, to analyse data from finite element models in a comparative multivariate framework. As a case study, several armadillo mandibles are analysed, showing that the proposed method is useful to distinguish and characterise biomechanical differences related to diet/ecomorphology.MethodsThe intervals’ method consists of generating a set of variables, each one defined by an interval of stress values. Each variable is expressed as a percentage of the area of the mandible occupied by those stress values. Afterwards these newly generated variables can be analysed using multivariate methods.ResultsApplying this novel method to the biological case study of whether armadillo mandibles differ according to dietary groups, we show that the intervals’ method is a powerful tool to characterize biomechanical performance and how this relates to different diets. This allows us to positively discriminate between specialist and generalist species.DiscussionWe show that the proposed approach is a useful methodology not affected by the characteristics of the finite element mesh. Additionally, the positive discriminating results obtained when analysing a difficult case study suggest that the proposed method could be a very useful tool for comparative studies in finite element analysis using multivariate statistical approaches.
Highlights
The introduction of virtual models applied to biological structures represents an important advance for comparative biological studies achieved during the last few years
Document S4 show the percentage of area for each interval A [%] using different N intervals, as well as the variance loadings for the Principal Components Analyses (PCAs)
The results of the regressions of the PCs indicate that the scores are almost completely correlated for N = 50 (Fig. 4 and Document S5), we chose to compare the different species with the set of 50 intervals (i.e., NPCA)
Summary
The introduction of virtual models applied to biological structures represents an important advance for comparative biological studies achieved during the last few years (see review in Bright, 2014). Applying this novel method to the biological case study of whether armadillo mandibles differ according to dietary groups, we show that the intervals’ method is a powerful tool to characterize biomechanical performance and how this relates to different diets. This allows us to positively discriminate between specialist and generalist species. The positive discriminating results obtained when analysing a difficult case study suggest that the proposed method could be a very useful tool for comparative studies in finite element analysis using multivariate statistical approaches
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