Figure 13. A in Feeding behaviour and bite force of sabretoothed predators

Figure 13. A, summary diagram of scimitar-toothed ecomorphs. Zx/L and Zy/L-values at the canine are higher than at P3P4 but lower than at the carnassial. The Zx/Zycanine values are much higher than those of extant felids but generally lower than those of dirk-toothed ecomorphs. These results indicate that scimitar-toothed ecomorphs delivered shallow bites while pursuing prey and delivered sabre bites once prey had fallen and had been restrained. B, comparison of Neofelis nebulosa with 'intermediate' sabretooths Nimravus brachyops, Machaeroides eothen and Apataelurus kayi. Despite differences in dorsoventral and labiolingual force profiles, these taxa are characterized by Zx/Zycanine values lower than full-fledged sabretooths but similar to those of extant felids with specialized killing techniques. These results indicate that the 'intermediate' sabretooths delivered sabre bites on restrained prey, but one that was not as well restrained as in full-fledged sabretooths.