Morphofunctional analysis of the cervical-thoracic region in some burrowing mammals

Gambaryan, P.P.; Zherebtsova, O.V.; Platonov, V.V.

doi:10.15298/rusjtheriol.04.1.02

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Many authors have hypothesized that fusion of the cervical vertebrae is an adaptation for fossorial lifestyles (Shimer, ; Barnosky, ; Rose & Emry, , ; Gambaryan et al , ; Asher et al , ). Some hypothesize that the syncervical acts as a better fulcrum during digging (Rose & Emry, , ).…”

Section: Functional Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The spalacids Spalax (blind mole rats) and Myospalax (zokors) are documented to have fused cervical vertebrae. Cervicals two to four are fused in Myospalax and four to six are fused in Spalax (Gambaryan et al , ). All spalacids are fossorial, and these two genera use a head‐lift digging style, while other members of the clade utilize chisel‐tooth digging (Hildebrand, ).…”

Section: Systematic Anatomical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mole rat Spalax sp. (Spaliacidae) is unique as it has cervical vertebrae four to six fused (Gambaryan et al , ), an example of regional differences in cervical fusion within Mammalia.…”

Section: General Characteristics Of Fused Cervical Vertebraementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alternatively, fusion of the vertebrae significantly reduces mobility in areas of the vertebral column, which also has functional, behavioural and ecological implications (e.g. Gupta, ; Mulder, ; Gambaryan, Zherebtsova & Platonov, ; James, ). The best‐known examples of vertebral fusion are multiple convergences of fused sacral vertebrae in tetrapods for body support and rigidity (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Evolution and function of anterior cervical vertebral fusion in tetrapods

VanBuren

Evans

2016

Biol Rev

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The evolution of vertebral fusion is a poorly understood phenomenon that results in the loss of mobility between sequential vertebrae. Non-pathological fusion of the anterior cervical vertebrae has evolved independently in numerous extant and extinct mammals and reptiles, suggesting that the formation of a 'syncervical' is an adaptation that arose to confer biomechanical advantage(s) in these lineages. We review syncervical anatomy and evolution in a broad phylogenetic context for the first time and provide a comprehensive summary of proposed adaptive hypotheses. The syncervical generally consists of two vertebrae (e.g. hornbills, porcupines, dolphins) but can include fusion of seven cervical vertebrae in some cetaceans. Based on the ecologies of taxa with this trait, cervical fusion most often occurs in fossorial and pelagic taxa. In fossorial taxa, the syncervical likely increases the out-lever force during head-lift digging. In cetaceans and ricochetal rodents, the syncervical may stabilize the head and neck during locomotion, although considerable variation exists in its composition without apparent variability in locomotion. Alternatively, the highly reduced cervical vertebral centra may require fusion to prevent mechanical failure of the vertebrae. In birds, the syncervical of hornbills may have evolved in response to their unique casque-butting behaviour, or due to increased head mass. The general correlation between ecological traits and the presence of a syncervical in extant taxa allows more accurate interpretation of extinct animals that also exhibit this unique trait. For example, syncervicals evolved independently in several groups of marine reptiles and may have functioned to stabilize the head at the craniocervical joint during pelagic locomotion, as in cetaceans. Overall, the origin and function of fused cervical vertebrae is poorly understood, emphasizing the need for future comparative biomechanical studies interpreted in an evolutionary context.

show abstract

Section: Functional Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Systematic Anatomical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mole rat Spalax sp. (Spaliacidae) is unique as it has cervical vertebrae four to six fused (Gambaryan et al , ), an example of regional differences in cervical fusion within Mammalia.…”

Section: General Characteristics Of Fused Cervical Vertebraementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Evolution and function of anterior cervical vertebral fusion in tetrapods

VanBuren

Evans

2016

Biol Rev

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moles tend to occupy cohesive substrates that do not flow or collapse when they burrow through it. Therefore, Gambaryan et al (2002) and Gambaryan et al (2005), respectively]. (B) Right forelimb skeleton of the eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus).…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How moles destroy your lawn: the forelimb kinematics of Eastern moles in loose and compact substrates

Lin

Konow

Dumont

2019

Journal of Experimental Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The interplay between morphological specialization and kinematic flexibility is important for organisms that move between habitats within different substrates. Burrowing is energetically expensive and requires substantial interaction with soil to dislodge and transport it. True moles (Talpidae) have extraordinary forelimb morphologies and a unique ability to dig in loose as well as compact soils, yet we know little of how moles coordinate their forelimb joint kinematics when digging in soils of different compactness. Using marker-based X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM), we tested the hypothesis that moles burrow using different forelimb kinematics in loose and compact substrates. We predicted that moles raise mounds of loose soil by performing powerful compacting strokes mainly with long-axis rotation of the humerus (i.e. pronation/ supination), but shear compact soil away by performing scratching strokes involving amplified elbow extension, similar to most scratching diggers. We also predicted that in both types of substrate, moles displace soil rearward like other mammalian diggers. Our results support our hypothesis but not the predictions. Eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) move substrates upward using compacting strokes in loose substrates and outward from the body midline using scratching strokes in compact substrates; unlike the digging strokes of most mammalian forelimb diggers, the powerstroke of moles itself does not displace substrates directly rearward. Compacting and scratching strokes involve similar ranges of humeral pronation and retraction at the scapulohumeral (shoulder) joint, yet the movements at the elbow and carpal joints differ. Our results demonstrate that the combination of stereotypic movements of the shoulder joint, where the largest digging muscles are located, and flexibility in the elbow and carpal joints makes moles extremely effective diggers in both loose and compact substrates.

show abstract

Tracing the Paleobiology of Paedotherium and Tremacyllus (Pachyrukhinae, Notoungulata), the Latest Sciuromorph South American Native Ungulates – Part II: Orbital, Auditory, and Occipito-Cervical Regions

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The caudal cranium and occipito-cervical region, although usually overlooked, are informative about the paleobiology of fossil mammals, allowing inquiry into vision and hearing abilities, as well as head and neck postures. Particularly for Pachyrukhinae, some related features remain unexplored. In this contribution, 22 specimens of Paedotherium and Tremacyllus were analyzed in a mainly qualitative and comparative framework. Pachyrukhines are characterized by having large orbits and hearing cavities, moderate to short necks with generalized morphologies, and S-shape postures. These features allow rejecting some types of specialized digging habits, and support the preference of open or low-humidity environments. Paedotherium typicum is distinguished by the presence of laterally oriented eyes, marked vaulted cranium and predominant short extensor and stabilizing neck muscles, and cervico-occipitalhyoid configurations suitable for ventro-flexed resting posture. These features indicate accentuated frontation and panoramic-vision, upward head postures enhancing substrate perception, and the resistance of impacts during leaping-cursorial locomotion. Conversely, P. bonaerense, and to lesser degree Tremacyllus spp., show less frontation and probably adopted more horizontal head postures. More particularly, stronger ventral and lateral neck and head flexors and extrinsic arm musculature are reconstructed for P. bonaerense, compatible with generalist or scratch-digging habits. Its smaller auditory cavities and stronger ear musculature, compared to the contemporary P. typicum and especially Tremacyllus spp., would indicate larger ears and microhabitat segregation. The integrative analysis proposed here and in the accompanying contribution aims to shed light on convergences with extant models, paleobiology, niche partitioning, and external appearance of the latest rodent-like ungulates.

show abstract

Morphofunctional analysis of the cervical-thoracic region in some burrowing mammals

Cited by 9 publications

References 9 publications

Evolution and function of anterior cervical vertebral fusion in tetrapods

Evolution and function of anterior cervical vertebral fusion in tetrapods

How moles destroy your lawn: the forelimb kinematics of Eastern moles in loose and compact substrates

Tracing the Paleobiology of Paedotherium and Tremacyllus (Pachyrukhinae, Notoungulata), the Latest Sciuromorph South American Native Ungulates – Part II: Orbital, Auditory, and Occipito-Cervical Regions

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About