Mandible shape variation and feeding biomechanics in minks

Gálvez-López, Eloy; Cox, Philip G.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08754-4

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 58 publications

(90 reference statements)

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“…A longer coronoid process and an rostrally expanded masseteric fossa correspond to increased muscle attachment areas and longer in‐levers, which is indicative of a higher mechanical lever advantage (van Heteren et al . 2016; Gálvez‐López & Cox 2022). As such, juvenile cave bears were likely less effective masticators than fully grown cave bears.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometric morphometric assessment of the fossil bears of Namur, Belgium: Allometry and ecomorphology

Heteren

Germonpré

2023

Boreas

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The Namur area in Belgium is useful to study brown (Ursus arctos) and cave bears (Ursus spelaeus) as the assemblage contains little temporal and no geographical variation. Here, we aim to assess ontogenetic allometry within cave bears, as well as ecomorphological differences between adult brown bears (n = 9), adult cave bears (n = 5) and juvenile cave bears (n = 3). Landmarks for 3D digitization of the mandible were chosen based on the taphonomical damage of the specimens. Extant brown bears and extinct Pleistocene brown and cave bears were digitized with a Microscribe G2. Generalized Procrustes superimposition was performed on the coordinates. Allometry was studied using regression analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to assess ecomorphological differences between the groups. 61% of the shape variance within juvenile and adult cave bears was predicted by size (n = 8, p < 0.01). The juvenile cave bears have relatively deep horizontal rami. In adult cave bears, the horizontal ramus is much narrower dorsoventrally. Juvenile cave bears have a small masseteric fossa and a short coronoid process, whereas both are larger, relative to mandible size, in adult cave bears. This made juvenile cave bears likely less effective masticators than fully grown cave bears. In the PCA, principal component (PC) 1 accounts for 45.0% of the total variance and PC2 accounts for 27.6%. Fossil U. arctos from Namur fall within the 95% confidence interval of modern North American U. arctos on both PCs, but are more similar to cave bears than the average extant brown bear. From the similarity of fossil and modern brown bears, it can be deduced that the diet of fossil brown bears was probably also within the range of their modern North American conspecifics, although they might have been more efficient at masticating plant matter.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometric morphometric assessment of the fossil bears of Namur, Belgium: Allometry and ecomorphology

Heteren

Germonpré

2023

Boreas

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“…There are studies in which species and sex distinctions are made on the mandible with GM (Demiraslan et al, 2021; Demircioğlu et al, 2021; Gálvez‐López & Cox, 2022). These studies showed that there are distinctive shape differences in the mandible between species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shape analysis of fossa masseterica and processus coronoideus in domestic cats (Felis catus) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)

Gündemir

2023

Anat Histol Embryol

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Fossa masseterica, to which the musculus masseter is attached, is the pit on the lateral surface of the ramus mandibulae. Processus coronoideus is a protrusion on the upper part of fossa masseterica. Carnivores have a more developed fossa masseterica and a wider processus coronoideus than other species, due to their well‐developed jaw muscles. However, there is limited information about the differences of these two structures among carnivorous species. In this study, it was investigated whether fossa masseterica and processus coronoideus differ in shape in domestic cats and domestic dogs. For this purpose, 22 dogs and 20 cats were examined by 3D geometric morphometry. Eighty‐one landmarks were used on the fossa masseterica and processus coronoideus. The difference in centroid sizes and shape for cats and dogs was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). PC1 explained 26.47% of the total variance. It was seen that cats and dogs were completely separated according to PC1 results. In cats with a high PC1 value, the processus coronoideus was narrower than in dogs. Also, feline processus coronoideus was more curved than domestic canine processus coronoideus. In addition, the caudal inclination of processus coronoideus was deeper in dogs than in cats. Dogs had a negative PC1 value except for one sample (German Shepherd). The sample with the lowest PC1 value was the French Bulldog (female, 7 years, and 13 kg). Discriminant analysis results showed that the domestic cats and domestic dogs used in the study were completely separated from each other, and this difference was statistically significant. The results of this study showed that dogs with stronger jaw muscles had a deeper fossa masseterica and a wider processus coronoideus than cats.

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Mandibular morphology in four species of insectivorous bats: the impact of sexual dimorphism and geographical differentiation

Crampton,

Giacomini,

Meloro

2024

Journal of Zoology

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Chiroptera is the only mammalian order that has adapted to active flight, offering a unique platform to study ecomorphological adaptations. While bats exhibit a diverse diet, the focus of this study is on insectivorous bats, specifically four species: Myotis daubentonii, Nyctalus noctula, Plecotus austriacus and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. It is important to note that despite sharing an insectivorous diet, these species occupy different ecological niches, perform distinct feeding strategies and explore varied habitats to capture prey. Using 2‐D geometric morphometrics, we analysed a sample of mandibles to identify differences in size and shape among these species. We also investigated ecogeographical variation within their overlapping distribution across continental Europe. Significant differences in both mandibular size and shape were found among the four species. Sexual dimorphism influenced only the mandibular shape of R. ferrumequinum. A latitudinal gradient in mandibular size was found solely in N. noctula, while longitude significantly explained shape variation in M. daubentonii. These findings suggest that even within the ecological guild of insectivorous bats, there exists a diverse range of morphological adaptations that allow these species to occupy distinct ecological niches.

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Mandible shape variation and feeding biomechanics in minks

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Geometric morphometric assessment of the fossil bears of Namur, Belgium: Allometry and ecomorphology

Geometric morphometric assessment of the fossil bears of Namur, Belgium: Allometry and ecomorphology

Shape analysis of fossa masseterica and processus coronoideus in domestic cats (Felis catus) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)

Mandibular morphology in four species of insectivorous bats: the impact of sexual dimorphism and geographical differentiation

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