Functional and ecomorphological evolution of orbit shape in Mesozoic archosaurs is driven by body size and diet: Geometric morphometric data, 3D models (stl files), FEA models (Hypermesh, Abaqus files)

The orbit is one of several skull openings in the archosauromorph skull.
Intuitively, it could be assumed that orbit shape would closely
approximate the shape and size of the eyeball resulting in a predominantly
circular morphology. However, a quantification of orbit shape across
Archosauromorpha using a geometric morphometric approach demonstrates a
large morphological diversity despite the fact that the majority of
species retained a circular orbit. This morphological diversity is nearly
exclusively driven by large (skull length > 1000 mm)  and
carnivorous species in all studied archosauromorph groups, but
particularly prominently in theropod dinosaurs. While circular orbit
shapes are retained in most herbivores and smaller species, as well as in
juveniles and early ontogenetic stages, large carnivores adopted
elliptical and keyhole-shaped orbits. Biomechanical modeling using finite
element analysis reveals that these morphologies are beneficial in
mitigating and dissipating feeding-induced stresses without additional
reinforcement of the bony structure of the skull.