WKU News

Research led by Dr. Steve Huskey, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at WKU’s Ogden College of Science and Engineering, has found that piranhas possess the highest bite stress of any vertebrate ever measured, outshining even the T.rex.

As illustrated in the article titled “Biomechanics, muscle modeling, and the elevated bite force and tooth stress of piranhas,” recently published in Springer Nature, the study revealed that despite their relatively small size, piranhas generate extraordinary force relative to the area of their teeth. This allows them to slice through flesh and bone with remarkable efficiency, giving them the highest bite stress ever recorded among vertebrates.

The research project began as part of a graduate course in advanced vertebrate functional morphology, in which students collected and analyzed the data. The student team included a graduate student, an undergraduate who has since joined the lab as a graduate researcher, and a post-baccalaureate student now pursuing veterinary studies at Auburn University.

The project reflects Ogden College’s emphasis on hands-on learning and collaborative research, with students directly involved in collecting and analyzing data that contributed to the publication.

“This project represents the ultimate collaborative research experience,” Dr. Huskey said. 

The publication also included interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty from the WKU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and external partners, including researchers at the University of Louisville and the University of Chicago. Funding support came from both internal university sources and external grants, including the Woodland Farm Foundation.

The project is another example of Ogden College’s commitment to engaging students in real-world research that contributes to broader scientific discoveries.