Research

DOmenic C. D'Amore pH.d.

Research statement

My research investigates functional anatomical traits, as well as their associated behavior, performance, and taphonomy. My study system ranges the breadth of Sauropsida, with a particular focus on the feeding apparatus. This group is ideal for my research, as it consists of a diverse range of morphotypes over a large swath of deep time. My work addresses several fundamental biological questions including: 1) how may niche-based selection pressures constrain morphology, 2) to what degree does behavior affect versatility in the function of morphotypes, 3) how biomechanical influences, such as substrate properties and lever mechanics, limit morphotypic variability, 4) to what degree are morphotypes reliable indicators of ecological specialization in fossil taxa, and 5) what can taphonomic indicators reliably tell us about trophic interactions. Pursuing this research allows me to explore a variety of directions and methodologies, survey numerous museum collections of both modern and fossil taxa, utilize a number of imaging and morphometric techniques, experience working with live reptiles, and participate in numerous seasons of paleontological and herpetological field work.

Interests and study systems

Quantifying heterodonty and dental functional morphology in extinct and extant reptile teeth using geometric morphometric techniques.

Assessing feeding performance in reptiles through the analysis of bite and pull forces, kinematics, gel impressions, and controlled feeding experiments.

Determining the effects of rostral length and shape on the tooth row of reptiles, including tooth reduction, edentulism, and beak development.

Taphonomic reconstruction of extinct trophic interactions through the analysis of fossil tooth markings, as well as actualistic tooth mark studies with modern taxa.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Drumheller, S. K., D’Amore, D. C., Njau, J. K. 2023. Taphonomic approaches to bite-mark analyses in the fossil record and applications to archosaurian paleobiology. In IUP Crocodylian Paleobiology.

Noto, C. R., D’Amore, D. C., Drumheller, S. K., Adams, T. L. 2022. A newly recognized theropod assemblage from the Lewisville Formation (Woodbine Group; Cenomanian) and its implications for understanding Late Cretaceous Appalachian terrestrial ecosystems. PeerJ 10:e12782 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12782

Drumheller, S. K., McHugh, J., Kane, M., Riedel, A., D’Amore, D. C. 2020. High frequencies of theropod bite marks provide evidence for feeding, scavenging, and possible cannibalism in a stressed Late Jurassic ecosystem. PLoS ONE 15(5): e0233115 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233115

D’Amore, D. C. Harmon, M. T., Drumheller, S. G., Testin, J. J. 2019. Quantitative heterodonty in Crocodylia: assessing size and shape across modern and extinct taxa. PeerJ 7:e6485 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6485

D’Amore, D. C., Clulow, S., Doody, J., Rhind, D., McHenry, C.2018. Claw morphometrics in monitor lizards: Variable substrate and habitat use correlate to shape diversity within a predator guild. Ecology & Evolutionhttps://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4185

D’Amore, D. C., Meadows, D., Clulow, S., Rhind, D, Doody, J.S., D., McHenry, C. 2018. Increasing dietary breadth through allometry: bite forces in sympatric Australian skinks. Herpetological Notes 11: 179-187.

Doody, J. S., Clulow, S., Kay, G., D'Amore, D. C., Rhind, D., Wilson, S., Ellis, R., Castellano, C., McHenry, C., Quayle, M., Hands, K., Sawyer, G., and Bass, M. 2015. The dry season shuffle: gorges provide refugia for animal communities in tropical savannah ecosystems. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0131186. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131186

D’Amore, D. C. 2015. Illustrating ontogentic change in the dentition of the Nile monitor lizard, Varanus niloticus: a case study in the application of geometric morphometric methods for the quantification of shape-size heterodonty. Journal of Anatomy 226: 403-419

D’Amore, D. C., Moreno, K., McHenry, C., Wroe, S. 2011. The effects of biting and pulling on the forces generated during feeding in the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). PLoS ONE 6(10): e26226. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026226

D’Amore, D. C. 2009. A functional explanation for denticulation in theropod dinosaur teeth. The Anatomical Record 292: 1297-1314.

D’Amore, D. C., Blumenschine, R. J. 2009. Komodo monitor (Varanus komodoensis) feeding behavior and dental function reflected through tooth marks on bone surfaces, and the application to ziphodont paleobiology. Paleobiology35: 525-552.

DOmenic C. D'Amore pH.d.

Research statement

Interests and study systems

pALEONTOLOGICAL fIELD WORK

HERPETOLOGICAL fIELD WORK

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

DOmenic C. D'Amore pH.d.

Research statement

Interests and study systems

pALEONTOLOGICAL fIELD WORK

HERPETOLOGICAL fIELD WORK

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

This website uses cookies.