Locomotion in some small to medium-sized mammals: a geometric morphometric analysis of the penultimate lumbar vertebra, pelvis and hindlimbs

Álvarez, Alicia; Ercoli, Marcos D.; Prevosti, Francisco Juan

doi:10.1016/j.zool.2013.08.007

Cited by 48 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…One study by Coutinho, de Oliveira, and Pessôa () reported on the osteology of various South American rodents, including semi‐fossorial species, using only linear measurements instead of morphofunctional indices. Alvarez, Ercoli, and Prevosti () used shape analysis to study the pelvis and hind limb in various small mammals and additionally reported linear measurements of these bones but not indices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the relatively short pubic length in G. capensis would be an advantage with rapid hip flexion and extension during drumming. Pubic length is closely correlated to body size in mammals (Alvarez et al, ). It is likely that the comparatively large body size of B. suillius has more influence on the length of the pubis than a functional adaptation for drumming.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hind foot drumming: Morphofunctional analysis of the hind limb osteology in three species of African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae)

Sahd

Bennett

Kotzé

2020

Journal of Morphology

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Hind foot drumming is a form of seismic signaling that plays a vital role in the communication of several Bathyergidae species. Hind foot drumming is initiated by the rapid movement of the whole hind limb by flexion and extension of the hip and knee. This study aimed to determine if morphological adaptations of the hind limb osteology were measurable using established morphometric analyses in two drumming (Bathyergus suillus and Georychus capensis) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) African mole-rat species. Forty-three linear measurements of the hind limb were taken in 48 limbs (n = 16 limbs per species) and 32 indices were calculated.Mixed model analysis of variance was used to compare the three species and sexes within a species. Thirteen indices had significant differences between species. Eleven indices had significant differences between sexes within a species. Significant differences between the drumming (B. suillus and G. capensis) and the non-drumming species were observed in three indices. The femoral greater trochanter was relatively shorter in the drumming species compared to the non-drumming species, which is proposed to allow for increased hip joint mobility, thereby permitting drummers to move their limbs at the rapid speed required to generate seismic signals. Furthermore, the small in-lever (shorter greater trochanter) may increase the velocity of limb motion. The robust tibias in the drumming species, as indicated by the tibial robustness index, are likely to counter the additional biomechanical load caused by the muscles involved in hind foot drumming. The relatively small hind feet seen in the drumming species allows for reduced limb weight needed for the rapid extension and flexion motion required during hind foot drumming. The significant differences reflected in the hind limb osteological indices between B. suillus and G. capensis and the non-drumming species are indicative of adaptations for hind foot drumming.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hind foot drumming: Morphofunctional analysis of the hind limb osteology in three species of African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae)

Sahd

Bennett

Kotzé

2020

Journal of Morphology

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“…m. iliocostalis lumborum) and hip (i.e. hamstrings), which act on the sagittal plane for an effective propulsive phase of each bound (Gambaryan, 1974;Roberts, 1974;Williams, 1983;Álvarez et al, 2013;Ercoli et al, 2013Ercoli et al, , 2015. Moreover, the posterior (in terrestrial half-bounders) or posteromedial (in climbing half-bounders) orientation of the lesser trochanter, where flexor muscles of the lumbar region and hip are inserted (i.e.…”

Section: Traits Of Eira Barbara Morpho-functionally Related To Terresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…sitting, crouching, standing, hanging) patterns (Gambaryan, 1974;Taylor, 1989;Hildebrand, 1995). In an effort to scrutinize these variables (posture, agility, gaits), some other researchers (e.g., Gambaryan, 1974;Schutz and Guralnick, 2007;Álvarez et al, 2013) have assayed other categories such as "half-bounders", "ambulatorials", "cursorials", "ricochetals".…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating locomotion, postures and morphology: The case of the tayra, Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae)

Ercoli

Youlatos

2016

Mammalian Biology

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Locomotion and postures are key factors to understanding the biology of animals. However, scansorial and arboreal carnivorans remain poorly studied regarding these issues. Herein, we present a behavioral and morphological analysis of the arboreal locomotion of the tayra (Eira barbara), a neotropical forest-dwelling mustelid. Data on habitat use and locomotor and postural modes were collected from free-ranging tayras in a terra-firme forest in French Guiana. Additionally, qualitative morphological traits and linear measurements of the girdles and appendicular skeleton were analyzed through comparative anatomical descriptions, univariate tests, and a principal components and discriminant analysis. Tayras frequently used clambering, quadrupedal walking, claw climbing and quadrupedal standing, performed primarily on small and medium, oblique and horizontal branches. Furthermore, our morphofunctional analyses revealed that tayras possess autopodial specializations for navigating on arboreal substrates, while the more proximal elements present features more similar to other terrestrial or scansorial mustelids, and theoretically less modified from the hypothetical weasel-like ancestor of mustelids. This mosaic of morphological features of the tayra, a combination of phylogenetic inertia and ecological signals, very likely evolved to promote the efficient and effective exploitation of diverse habitats and resources in this versatile species.

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“…The relative size and shape of long bones are significant predictors of locomotory ecology in a multitude groups of extant and fossil mammals (Kappelman 1988;Bishop 1999;Elton 2001;Plummer et al 2008;Samuels and Van Valkenburgh 2008;Bassarova et al 2009;Milne et al 2012;Meloro and Louys 2015;Elton et al 2016). The order Carnivora exhibits great variation in locomotory modes and environments occupied, which is reflected to some degree in the shape and dimensions of their long bones (Van Valkenburgh 1987;Meloro 2011a;Álvarez et al 2013;Samuels et al 2013;Meachen et al 2015;Tarquini et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elbow Joint Geometry in Bears (Ursidae, Carnivora): a Tool to Infer Paleobiology and Functional Adaptations of Quaternary Fossils

Meloro

Oliveira

2017

J Mammal Evol

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Bears are currently represented by eight species among Carnivora. Being all particularly large and generally plantigrade limits to certain extent their functional morphology so that inferences about their past diversification are difficult to achieve. We analyzed variation in bears' elbow joint size and shape to reconstruct paleobiology of Quaternary fossil species. By using 2D geometric morphometrics, we were able to discriminate with high degree of accuracy species, locomotor and habitat adaptations among extant bears. The giant panda and the spectacled bear are well characterized by an enlarged medial epicondyle, while large members of the genus Ursus can be distinguished by their relatively longer and wider trochlea. Elbow joint size varies consistently among ecological categories of extant bears and is generally selected by discriminant function models providing a high degree of classification accuracy (> 80%). American genera Arctotherium and Arctodus are predicted as non-climbing species potentially adapted to open and mixed environments in agreement with their potentially opportunistic feeding behavior. They retain a wide medial epicondyle probably in relation to a high degree of forelimb dexterity. Cave bears are equally predicted as non-climbers adapted to open habitats while the middle Pleistocene Ursus deningeri and fossil Ursus arctos are generally classified as scansorial species with a preference towards mixed habitats. Our study is the first to demonstrate that fragmentary distal epiphyses also can be useful for interpreting functional morphology and ecological adaptations within the family Ursidae.

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Locomotion in some small to medium-sized mammals: a geometric morphometric analysis of the penultimate lumbar vertebra, pelvis and hindlimbs

Cited by 48 publications

References 67 publications

Hind foot drumming: Morphofunctional analysis of the hind limb osteology in three species of African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae)

Hind foot drumming: Morphofunctional analysis of the hind limb osteology in three species of African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae)

Integrating locomotion, postures and morphology: The case of the tayra, Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae)

Elbow Joint Geometry in Bears (Ursidae, Carnivora): a Tool to Infer Paleobiology and Functional Adaptations of Quaternary Fossils

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