Seal backbones

Our study on vertebral allometry in pinnipeds (seals) is out! The study demonstrates that evolution of a secondarily aquatic lifestyle has modified the mechanical constraints associated with evolutionary increases in body size, relative to terrestrial mammals.

Jones KE & Pierce SE. 2016. Axial allometry in a neutrally buoyant environment: effects of the terrestrial aquatic transition on vertebral scaling. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12809.