Sexual selection in a polygynous rodent (Ctenomys talarum): an analysis of fighting capacity

Becerra, Federico; Echeverría, Alejandra Isabel; Marcos, Alejandra; Casinos, Adriá; Vassallo, Aldo Iván

doi:10.1016/j.zool.2012.05.002

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Behavioral observations suggest that agonistic encounters between males are very aggressive, scarcely ritualized, and that incisors are used to injure the opponent (Zenuto et al, ). Since scaling equations were similar for both sexes considering either the exponents or the elevations, the higher bite force observed in males of C. tuconax is assumed to be the result of sexual selection acting upon overall body size rather than specifically on the mandibular apparatus, as observed in another species of the genus (Becerra et al, ). The positive allometric relationship between bite force and body mass may reflect jaw muscles hypertrophy during the species' normal development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Biting Performance and Skull Biomechanics of a Chisel Tooth Digging Rodent (Ctenomys tuconax; Caviomorpha; Octodontoidea)

2012

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biting performance is a key factor in vertebrate groups possessing particular food habits. In subterranean rodents that use the incisors as a digging tool, apart from requirements related to gnawing abrasive diets, the force exerted at the incisors tips must be sufficient to break down soils that are often exceedingly compact. The subterranean genus Ctenomys diversified in the southern portion of South America closely associated with the relatively open environments that characterize that region. This genus is considered a "claw and chisel tooth digger," that is, during the excavation of their galleries, the animals break down the soil with both the fore-claws and the incisors. We report here measurements of in vivo bite force in one of the largest species of the genus, C. tuconax, which occupies highland grasslands with compacted soils. We document the combined use of claws and incisors observed under field conditions, also providing measurements of soil compaction in the habitat occupied by this species. We report estimates of bite force at the level of the incisors and cheek teeth calculated from the physiological cross-sectional area of jaw muscles. To this aim, anatomical and biomechanical analyses of the mandibular apparatus were performed in preserved specimens. We found that C. tuconax bites with a higher force than expected for a mammal of its size. To assess anatomical correlates of biting performance, the morphology of the skull and jaw, and incisor second moment of area were compared with those of other caviomorph rodents with different lifestyle.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Biting Performance and Skull Biomechanics of a Chisel Tooth Digging Rodent (Ctenomys tuconax; Caviomorpha; Octodontoidea)

2012

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In tuco‐tucos, territorial establishment and defence are crucial to males in order to successfully monopolize females. The performance in such critical task is affected by male fighting ability and strength (Becerra, Echeverría, Casinos, & Vassallo, ; Zenuto et al., ) and territorial scent‐marking (Zenuto, ). Experimental evidence obtained in laboratory enclosures resembling the natural social environment conditions, showed that females of C. talarum mate exclusively with the dominant male (Zenuto et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female preference for males that have exclusively marked or invaded territories depends on male presence and its identity in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Territorial scent‐marking provides chemical records of male competitive interactions that are available to females, who gain valuable information to assess and identify best quality partners. In this context, the solitary subterranean rodent tuco‐tuco (Ctenomys talarum) offers excellent possibilities to evaluate the effects of male exclusive scent‐marking of territories on female assessment. For evaluation, we used wild caught individuals of C. talarum, manipulated their scent marks within the territories in captive conditions and staged preference tests where females were able to choose between exclusive and invaded territories. The evaluation was performed in two scenarios considering the identity of the intruder scent mark: territories invaded by a strange male and territories invaded by a neighbour male. Females investigated the chemical cues deposited on the substrate of the exclusively marked territory more frequently. Next, females displayed equal interest to scent samples of both males presented in a Y‐maze. Finally, when females could gain access to both individually isolated males and their scent‐marked territories, they spent more time within invaded territories despite they visited them with the same frequency. Moreover, females tried to get in contact by scratching the mesh of the owner of the invaded territory more frequently. We found that females of C. talarum evaluate the homogeneity (exclusiveness) of scent marks within a male territory and then show preferences in relation to the identity of the intruder's scent –whether strange or neighbour.

show abstract

“…; Becerra et al . ). Regarding the mandibular apparatus, these studies include, among other aspects, the assessment of dental adaptations related to particular feeding habits (Biknevicius et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Becerra et al . ). Like other subterranean rodents that use their incisors to assist in loosening soils (chisel‐tooth digging; e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Ontogenetic integration between force production and force reception: a case study inCtenomys(Rodentia: Caviomorpha)

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Sexual selection in a polygynous rodent (Ctenomys talarum): an analysis of fighting capacity

Cited by 10 publications

References 24 publications

Biting Performance and Skull Biomechanics of a Chisel Tooth Digging Rodent (Ctenomys tuconax; Caviomorpha; Octodontoidea)

Biting Performance and Skull Biomechanics of a Chisel Tooth Digging Rodent (Ctenomys tuconax; Caviomorpha; Octodontoidea)

Female preference for males that have exclusively marked or invaded territories depends on male presence and its identity in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum

Ontogenetic integration between force production and force reception: a case study inCtenomys(Rodentia: Caviomorpha)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About