Phil Cox
Doctor
Anatomical and Human Sciences
University of Hull
United Kingdom
Biography
Phil Cox studied comparative mammalian functional morphology for his PhD in the Museum of Zoology, University of Cambridge. After successfully receiving his doctorate, he moved to the University of Liverpool to undertake a postdoctoral research project on the vestibulo-ocular reflex in mammals with Dr Nathan Jeffery. He remained in Liverpool to conduct a second postdoc, this time on the biomechanics of rodent skulls. In 2012, Phil joined the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences at HYMS as a Lecturer in Physiology.
Research Interest
y research is principally concerned with the mammalian skull and how it has been shaped by both evolution and function. He is particularly interested in how the forces generated by feeding can influence cranial morphology. I investigate these issues using a number of techniques such as geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis. I am fascinated by all mammals, and much of my work has taken the form of large studies comparing the different eutherian orders. However, my current research is particularly focused on the rodents, as they display unique and highly specialised adaptations of the teeth and masticatory muscles. I am also interested in the use of medical imaging in comparative anatomy, and was involved in the development of contrast-enhanced microCT, a technique for visualising soft tissues via microCT scanning.
Publications
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Cox PG, Jeffery N (2011). Reviewing the morphology of the jaw-closing musculature in squirrels, rats and guinea pigs with contrast-enhanced microCT. Anatomical Record Part A 294: 915-928. [cover article]
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Cox PG, Fagan MJ, Rayfield EJ, Jeffery N (2011). Finite element modelling of squirrel, guinea pig and rat skulls: using geometric morphometrics to assess sensitivity. Journal of Anatomy 219: 696-709.
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Cox PG, Rayfield EJ, Fagan MJ, Herrel A, Pataky TC, Jeffery N (2012). Functional evolution of the feeding system in rodents. PLoS ONE 7(4): e36299.
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Blanco RE, Rinderknecht (2015) Predicting bite force and cranial biomechanics in the largest fossil rodent using finite element analysis. Journal of Anatomy 226: 215-223. [cover article]
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McIntosh AF, Cox PG (2016) Functional implications of craniomandibular morphology in African mole-rats (Rodentia: Bathyergidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 117: 447-462.
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McIntosh AF, Cox PG (2016) Functional implications of craniomandibular morphology in African mole-rats (Rodentia: Bathyergidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 117: 447-462.
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Gignac PM, Kley NJ, Clarke JA, Colbert MW, Morhardt AC, Cerio D, Cost IN, Cox PG, Daza JD, Early CM, Echols MS, Henkelman RM, Herdina AN, Holliday CM, Li Z, Mahlow K, Merchant S, Müller J, Orsborn C, Paluh DJ, Thies ML, Tsai HP, Witmer LM (2016) Diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT): an emerging tool for rapid, high-resolution, 3-D imaging of metazoan soft tissues. Journal of Anatomy 228: 889-909.
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McIntosh AF, Cox PG (2016) The impact of gape on the performance of the skull in chisel-tooth digging and scratch digging mole-rats (Rodentia: Bathyergidae). Royal Society Open Science 3: 160568.
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McIntosh AF, Cox PG (2016) The impact of digging on craniodental morphology and integration. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 29: 2383-2394.
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Pataky TC, Koseki M, Cox PG (2016) Probabilistic biomechanical finite element simulations: whole-model classical hypothesis testing based on upcrossing geometry. PeerJ Computer Science 2: e96.
