Starting small and simple was key to success for #evolution of mammals https://phys.org/news/2023-04-small-simple-key-success-evolution.html

Functional reorganisation of the cranial #skeleton during the #cynodont–#mammaliaform transition https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-04742-0

Reducing the number of #skull bones did not lead to higher bite forces or increased skull strength. Instead, the skull shape of these early #mammals redirected stresses during feeding in a more efficient way.