Myology of the Head, Neck, and Thoracic Region of the Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja) in Comparison with the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) and Other Carnivorans: Phylogenetic and Functional Implications

Ercoli, Marcos D.; Álvarez, Alicia; Busker, Felipe; Morales, Miriam Mariana; Julik, Emily; Smith, Heather F.; Adrian, Brent; Barton, Mike; Bhagavatula, Keerthi; Poole, Meifawn; Shahsavan, Matt; Wechsler, Rachel; Fisher, Rebecca E.

doi:10.1007/s10914-016-9339-8

Cited by 13 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…This characteristic has been associated with greater efficiency in closing the jaws in mustelids that feed on prey larger than themselves (Christiansen & Wroe, 2007). This is also consistent with some morphofunctional specializations, such as a flexible axial region and strong neck muscles, which give the lesser grison the ability to pursue and hunt its prey through narrow tunnels, as well as to transport relatively heavy prey in the mouth (Yensen & Tarifa, 2003;Ercoli et al, 2016). Its diet consists of small to medium-sized vertebrates, especially lagomorphs, rodents, birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, and their eggs (Yensen & Tarifa, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…The majority available literature on this species includes information about its trophic ecology in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and southern Brazil ( Ebensperger, Mella & Simonetti, 1991 ; Diuk-Wasser & Cassini, 1998 ; Delibes et al, 2003 ; Kraus & Rödel, 2004 ; Zapata et al, 2005 ; Sade, Rau & Orellana, 2012 ; Kasper et al, 2015 ), habitat selection ( Zúñiga, Muñoz-Pedreros & Fierro, 2009 ), and anatomy ( Ercoli et al, 2012 , 2016 ). Except for the studies of Zapata et al (2008) and Schiaffini & Prevosti (2013) and a revision of the morphological and molecular characteristics of the genus Galictis ( Bornholdt et al, 2013 ), the cranial morphology of the species has been largely unexplored, even in ecomorphological studies of Mustelidae ( Catalano, Ercoli & Prevosti, 2014 ; Law et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geographic variation in the skull morphology of the lesser grison (Galictis cuja: Carnivora, Mustelidae) from two Brazilian ecoregions

Migliorini

Fornel

Kasper

2020

PeerJ

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Background The lesser grison (Galictis cuja) is one of the least known carnivores in the Neotropical region. Its wide geographical occurrence and range of habitats could lead to morphological variations along its distribution. So, this study aimed to investigate the variation in skull shape and size of this species, by testing the existence of ecotypes adapted to their respective environments (Uruguayan savanna and Atlantic Forest), as well as its relationship with selected abiotic variables. Methods The skulls of 52 museum specimens were photographed in the ventral, dorsal, and lateral views, and were analyzed using geometric morphometric techniques. Results We found sexual size dimorphism, with males being larger than females. The shape variation between sexes, as well as between ecoregions, is mostly explained by the effect of allometry. The specimens from Uruguayan savanna are larger than the ones from the Atlantic Forest. Size variation was also significantly correlated to latitude, temperature and precipitation patterns. No correlation between skull shape with geographical distance was detected. Discussion Morphometric measurements and diet data of lesser grison in regions from higher latitudes than our sampling show a tendency to heavier individuals, and the consumption of bigger prey compared to Uruguayan savanna. The results indicated the smaller specimens associated to low variability in annual temperature, congruent to Atlantic Forest region. An explanation for observed variation may be related to the “resource rule” but, due the minimal natural history information regards this species, we can just speculate about this.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographic variation in the skull morphology of the lesser grison (Galictis cuja: Carnivora, Mustelidae) from two Brazilian ecoregions

Migliorini

Fornel

Kasper

2020

PeerJ

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“…This material included all the ictonychine species: Galictis cuja, G. vittata, Ictonyx libyca, I. striatus, Lyncodon patagonicus, Poecilogale albinucha, Vormela peregusna; and five Mustela species (Table 1). Galictis cuja and M. putorius (species with a well-known myologic anatomy; Alix 1876; Barone & Deutsch 1953;Gambaryan 1974;Evans & Quoc An 1980;Ercoli 2015;Ercoli et al 2013Ercoli et al , 2015Ercoli et al , 2016 were used as the main comparative mustelid models, and Crocuta crocuta, Canis familiaris and Felis catus as the nonmustelid models. Fossil specimens of the ictonychine species Galictis sp., L. bosei and L. patagonicus were also included in the sample (Table 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Galictis cuja and M. putorius (species with a well-known myologic anatomy; Alix 1876; Barone & Deutsch 1953; Gambaryan 1974; Evans & Quoc An 1980; Ercoli 2015; Ercoli et al . 2013, 2015, 2016) were used as the main comparative mustelid models, and Crocuta crocuta , Canis familiaris and Felis catus as the non-mustelid models. Fossil specimens of the ictonychine species Galictis sp., L. bosei and L. patagonicus were also included in the sample (Table 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the myological reconstruction of S. pettorutii , descriptions and muscle maps of G. cuja were used as the main source for comparing insertion areas with the marks and other osteological features. The musculature of this species was analysed in detail by means of dissections carried out by the author and colleagues (Ercoli 2015; Ercoli et al 2015, 2016). Muscular anatomy data sources available for other mustelid species (Cuvier & Laurillard 1849; Alix 1876; Hall 1926; Williams 1955; Scapino 1968, 1974, 1987) and for carnivoran species mentioned as osteological comparative material (Cuvier & Laurillard 1849; Reighard & Jennings 1901; Barone 1967, 1976; Spoor & Badoux 1986; Evans 1993; Antón et al 2004; Evans & de Lahunta 2013) were also used for the purpose of this research.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morpho-functional analysis of the mastoid region of the extinct South American mustelid †Stipanicicia pettorutii

Ercoli

2015

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Socie

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The morphology of the mastoid region in predators is informative about the hunting strategies and capacity of carrying prey. The purpose of this research was to describe the mastoid region and reconstruct the associated musculature of † Stipanicicia pettorutii Reig, 1956, a Pleistocene weasel with a distinctive morphology compared to its living relatives, and to make inferences about its predatory abilities. Galictis, a living weasel closely related to Stipanicicia, as well as other carnivorans, were used as comparative models. The muscle insertions identified in Stipanicicia presented a similar or larger development than Galictis. The insertion area of the muscles obliquus capitis cranialis, longissimus capitis, sternocephalicus pars mastoidea and cleidocephalicus pars mastoidea were found to be markedly developed and in a lateralised position with respect to the atlanto-occipital joint in hyaenids and mustelids, and especially in Stipanicicia, suggesting powerful lateral flexion and rotation movements in the fossil. The larger degree of advancement of the mastoid process in mustelids, and secondary in felids, would allow a powerful ventral flexion of the head. Stipanicicia would have exhibited powerful lateral movements and retraction of the head and neck, over restricted extension movements and, therefore, would have been a weasel specialised in subjugating and carrying prey of a relatively large size.

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Functional and phylogenetic interpretation of the forelimb myology of two South American carnivorans, the ring‐tailed coati (Nasua nasua) and crab‐eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus)

Tarquini

Mosto

Ercoli

2023

Journal of Morphology

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A comparative analysis of the forelimb myology of two neotropical procyonids (Nasua nasua and Procyon cancrivorus) was performed to assess how observed differences in their myological configuration would be related to their diverse ecological behaviors and phylogeny. Although both species are associated with the arboreal substrate, N. nasua is a more agile climber that usually digs; whereas P. cancrivorus spends most of its time on the ground foraging, climbing on the trees as shelter and is a good swimmer. Here, myological descriptions, muscle maps, phylogenetic optimizations, and muscle mass data of the forelimb of these two procyonids are presented. The main functional muscular groups are discussed in a comparative framework with other carnivorans that present a wide ecological diversity. Also, muscular characters were mapped onto a phylogeny to explore their evolution and to obtain ancestral state reconstructions. Results indicate clear myological differences among the two neotropical procyonids associated with their ecological preferences. One of the most remarkable anatomical differences is the arrangement and relative mass of the extrinsic musculature, mainly the musculus rhomboideus and the delto-pectoral complexes. In Nasua nasua, these suggested a greater stability in their shoulder girdle for climbing and digging and probably would provide stronger neck and head movements when they use them for foraging on the ground. Conversely, P. cancrivorus has a different extrinsic muscular configuration, which would allow an increment on the stride length and faster movements of the forelimb associated with more frequent terrestrial gaits. Also, significant differences are observed in the distal musculature, associated with strong movements of forepaws when climbing and digging in N. nasua; whereas, P. cancrivorus configuration suggested precise forearm and digits movements, related to manipulation of food items when they are catching prey or feeding. Most of the codified features of P. cancrivorus would reflect retention of plesiomorphies acquired in the common ancestor of caniforms or arctoids, whereas N. nasua shows derived traits, particularly in the proximal forelimb region. The present work increases the information available on the myology of these particular taxa and extant generalized

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Myology of the Head, Neck, and Thoracic Region of the Lesser Grison (Galictis cuja) in Comparison with the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) and Other Carnivorans: Phylogenetic and Functional Implications

Cited by 13 publications

References 60 publications

Geographic variation in the skull morphology of the lesser grison (Galictis cuja: Carnivora, Mustelidae) from two Brazilian ecoregions

Geographic variation in the skull morphology of the lesser grison (Galictis cuja: Carnivora, Mustelidae) from two Brazilian ecoregions

Morpho-functional analysis of the mastoid region of the extinct South American mustelid †Stipanicicia pettorutii

Functional and phylogenetic interpretation of the forelimb myology of two South American carnivorans, the ring‐tailed coati (Nasua nasua) and crab‐eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus)

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