Incisor growth in voles

Klevezal, G. A.; Pucek, Michalina; Sukhovskaja, Ludmiła I.

doi:10.4098/at.arch.90-38

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Rodent incisors (and also the molars of most arvicolids) are permanently growing and reflect a time span of a few weeks [86], [87], whereas no pronounced remodeling of bone tissue occurs in rodents. Thus, bones archive a nearly life-long record [88].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Variations in a Modern Rodent Community – Implications for Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions

2012

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BackgroundThe oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope compositions of bioapatite from skeletal remains of fossil mammals are well-established proxies for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions. Stable isotope studies of modern analogues are an important prerequisite for such reconstructions from fossil mammal remains. While numerous studies have investigated modern large- and medium-sized mammals, comparable studies are rare for small mammals. Due to their high abundance in terrestrial ecosystems, short life spans and small habitat size, small mammals are good recorders of local environments.Methodology/FindingsThe δ18O and δ13C values of teeth and bones of seven sympatric modern rodent species collected from owl pellets at a single locality were measured, and the inter-specific, intra-specific and intra-individual variations were evaluated. Minimum sample sizes to obtain reproducible population δ18O means within one standard deviation were determined. These parameters are comparable to existing data from large mammals. Additionally, the fractionation between coexisting carbonate (δ18OCO3) and phosphate (δ18OPO4) in rodent bioapatite was determined, and δ18O values were compared to existing calibration equations between the δ18O of rodent bioapatite and local surface water (δ18OLW). Specific calibration equations between δ18OPO4 and δ18OLW may be applicable on a taxonomic level higher than the species. However, a significant bias can occur when bone-based equations are applied to tooth-data and vice versa, which is due to differences in skeletal tissue formation times. δ13C values reflect the rodents’ diet and agree well with field observations of their nutritional behaviour.Conclusions/SignificanceRodents have a high potential for the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions by means of bioapatite δ18O and δ13C analysis. No significant disadvantages compared to larger mammals were observed. However, for refined palaeoenvironmental reconstructions a better understanding of stable isotope signatures in modern analogous communities and potential biases due to seasonality effects, population dynamics and tissue formation rates is necessary.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Variations in a Modern Rodent Community – Implications for Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions

2012

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“…The preweaning diet must have been completely overwritten by the postweaning pellet diet at the time of sacrifice, as incisors are completely renewed in 6–8 weeks (Klevezal et al. ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When sacrificed, all five females were healthy, and between four and 5 months old. The preweaning diet must have been completely overwritten by the postweaning pellet diet at the time of sacrifice, as incisors are completely renewed in 6-8 weeks (Klevezal et al 1990).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both lower incisors were extracted from the mandibles. The enamel and dentine of the oldest halves of the incisors (which had formed at least 3-4 weeks before trapping; Klevezal et al 1990) were manually ground into a fine homogeneous powder, with a mortar and pestle. The resulting powder was then dried overnight at 60°C.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The isotopic composition of tooth tissues corresponds to the diet during the maturation period (Kohn and Cerling 2002). In the case of arvicolines, the ever-growing incisors are completely renewed in 6-8 weeks (Klevezal et al 1990). Thus, the whole incisor should record the average diet of an individual over a period of 6-8 weeks before death, while the older half of the tooth should represent a signal 6-8 weeks old, but which does not include the last 3-4 weeks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Isotopic partitioning by small mammals in the subnivium

Calandra

Labonne

Mathieu

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

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In the Arctic, food limitation is one of the driving factors behind small mammal population fluctuations. Active throughout the year, voles and lemmings (arvicoline rodents) are central prey in arctic food webs. Snow cover, however, makes the estimation of their winter diet challenging. We analyzed the isotopic composition of ever‐growing incisors from species of voles and lemmings in northern Finland trapped in the spring and autumn. We found that resources appear to be reasonably partitioned and largely congruent with phylogeny. Our results reveal that winter resource use can be inferred from the tooth isotopic composition of rodents sampled in the spring, when trapping can be conducted, and that resources appear to be partitioned via competition under the snow.

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Incisor growth in voles

Cited by 20 publications

References 9 publications

Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Variations in a Modern Rodent Community – Implications for Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions

Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Variations in a Modern Rodent Community – Implications for Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions

Isotopic partitioning by small mammals in the subnivium

Reconstruction of individual life histories of rodents from their teeth and bone

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