RESUMO
The monophyletic group Caviomorpha constitutes the most diverse rodent clade in terms of locomotion, ecology and diet. Caviomorph species show considerable variation in cranio-mandibular morphology that has been linked to the differences in toughness of dietary items and other behaviors, such as chisel-tooth digging. This work assesses the structural strength of the mandible of three caviomorph species that show remarkable differences in ecology, behavior and bite force: Chinchilla lanigera (a surface-dwelling species), Octodon degus (a semi-fossorial species) and Ctenomys talarum (a subterranean species). Finite element (FE) models of the mandibles are used to predict the stresses they withstand during incisor biting; the results are related to in vivo bite forces and interspecific variations in the mandibular geometries. The study concludes that the mandible of C. talarum is better able to withstand strong incisor bites. Its powerful adducting musculature is consistent with the notorious lateral expansion of the angular process and the masseteric crest, and the enhanced cortical bone thickness. Although it has a relatively low bite force, the mandible of O. degus also shows a good performance for mid-to-strong incisor biting, in contrast to that of C. lanigera, which exhibits, from a mechanical point of view, the worst performance. The mandibles of C. talarum and O. degus appear to be better suited to withstand stronger reaction forces from incisor biting, which is consistent with their closer phylogenetic affinity and shared digging behaviors. The contrast between the low in vivo bite force of C. lanigera and the relatively high estimations that result from the models suggests that its adductor musculature could play significant roles in functions other than incisor biting.
Assuntos
Força de Mordida , Mandíbula/anatomia & histologia , Músculo Masseter/anatomia & histologia , Roedores/anatomia & histologia , Animais , Evolução Biológica , Chinchila/anatomia & histologia , Ecologia , Incisivo/anatomia & histologia , Octodon/anatomia & histologia , Filogenia , Crânio/anatomia & histologiaRESUMO
The South American subterranean rodent genus Ctenomys (Caviomorpha: Octodontoidea), which uses both claws and teeth to dig, shows striking morphological adaptations to its specialized mode of life. Among other traits, the genus has evolved a powerful jaw musculature and procumbent incisors that are used for dento-excavation. Behavioral observations indicate that these traits are also used during male aggressive encounters, which characterize the polygynous mating system of one of the species of the genus, Ctenomys talarum. A question emerges about sexual selection: could it have induced further changes in traits primarily evolved as adaptations for digging? To address this issue, we studied functional and morphological attributes of the jaw and incisors in specimens of C. talarum. Incisor bite forces were measured on wild females and males from a local population (Mar de Cobo; Buenos Aires Province) by means of a strain gauge load cell force transducer. Museum specimens coming from the same population were studied to assess anatomical attributes of both sexes. Since this species exhibits dimorphism in body size, the possible effect of body mass on the studied traits was analyzed. Males and females showed significant differences in biting performance and mandibular width, but when size was taken into account these differences disappeared. However, other dimorphic traits can vary with a certain independence with respect to size, particularly the 2nd moment of area of the incisors and, to a lesser extent, incisor procumbency. The former geometrical parameter, which is proportional to the bending strength, was highly dimorphic. This fact suggests that, during aggressive encounters between males, biting would place large bending loads on the incisors.
Assuntos
Comportamento Competitivo/fisiologia , Incisivo/anatomia & histologia , Roedores/genética , Seleção Genética , Caracteres Sexuais , Animais , Feminino , Incisivo/fisiologia , Masculino , Roedores/anatomia & histologiaRESUMO
The South American hystricognath rodents are one of the most diverse mammalian clades considering their occupied habitats, locomotor modes and body sizes. This might have been partly evolved by diversification of their masticatory apparatus' structure and its ecological commitment, for example, chisel-tooth digging. In this phylogeny-based comparative study, we test the relationship between ecological behavior and mechanical features of their incisors and molariforms. In 33 species of nine families of caviomorph rodents, we analyze incisor attributes related to structural stress resistance and molar features related with grinding capacity, for example, second moment of inertia and enamel index (EI) (enamel band length/occlusal surface area), respectively. Most of these variables scaled isometrically to body mass, with a strong phylogenetic effect. A principal component analysis discrimination on the EI clustered the species according to their geographic distribution. We presume that selective pressures in Andean-Patagonian regions, on particular feeding habits and chisel-tooth digging behaviors, have modeled the morphological characteristics of the teeth. Subterranean/burrower ctenomyids, coruros, and plains viscachas showed the highest bending/torsion strength and anchorage values for incisors; a simplified enamel pattern in molariforms would be associated with a better grinding of the more abrasive vegetation present in more open and drier biomes.