Patterns of Body and Tail Length and Body Mass in Sciuridae

Hayssen, Virginia

doi:10.1644/07-mamm-a-217.1

Cited by 93 publications

(108 citation statements)

References 116 publications

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“…During vertical movements, the S. vulgaris individuals in our study used clawed activities more often than has been reported for other free-ranging squirrels, with the exception of Microsciurus flaviventer (BW 82-98 g;Hayssen 2008) (Garber and Sussman 1984;Youlatos 1999;Stafford et al 2003). Clawed locomotion, which occurs principally on trunks and other large subvertical branches in the centre of single trees, permits relatively fast vertical displacement within the lower parts of the forest (Youlatos 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…These animals principally inhabit the tropics and feed mainly on fruit and nuts that are collected in the terminal branch zone, implying extensive use of quadrupedalism and sitting (Emry and Thorington 1984). Positional data on largebodied species are based solely on the flying squirrel Petaurista petaurista [body weight (BW) 1,264-1,405 g; Hayssen 2008], which exhibits comparably low rates of quadrupedal activities (Stafford et al 2003). Similar activities are also recorded for the much smaller southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans (BW 53-57 g; Hayssen 2008), substantiating the derived morpho-behavioural nature of flying squirrels, which are specialized for gliding and integrate frequent vertical movements to obtain higher initial platforms in order to maximize gliding performance (Thorington and Heaney 1981;Essner 2007; see also Scheibe et al 2006Scheibe et al , 2007.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this context, mammalian groups, such as arboreal squirrels, with a relatively recent evolutionary history (early Oligocene: Emry and Thorington 1982), but with remarkable diversity in size, morphology, ecology and behaviour (Cartmill 1974;Emry andThorington 1982, 1984;Roth 1996;Steppan et al 2004;Essner 2007;Hayssen 2008), would be good models for the study of similar complexes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These medium-sized squirrels (approx. 370-415 g;Hayssen 2008) possess postcranial features related to climbing and leaping (Emry and Thorington 1982;Hecht-Markou 1989;Thorington and Thorington 1989;Thorington et al 1997) and are reported to be primarily arboreal, using most tree parts during arboreal activities (Wauters et al 1992;Lurz et al 2005). However, this sort of information remains mainly anecdotal, weakening any interrelations between morphology, behaviour and ecology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Arboreal locomotor and postural behaviour of European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in northern Greece

Youlatos

Σαμαράς

2010

J Ethol

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The study of the locomotion and postures of arboreal squirrels may provide important contextual information on the evolution of the morphology and ecology of sciurids. In this context, we studied the positional behaviour and habitat use of four adult European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in a mixed coniferous forest in northern Greece. Our results show that, during the study period, S. vulgaris extensively used the forest canopy and the terminal branch zone. The use of small and medium supports of all orientations was also particularly frequent. The positional profile of the species was characterized by the dominance of quadrupedal, clawed and airborne locomotion along with seated and standing postures. Quadrupedalism and sitting appeared to promote terminal branch use for food access and manipulation, while claw climbing favored vertical ranging and retreat to trees after terrestrial foraging. Finally, leaping reduced energetic costs during travelling between food sites within the relatively dispersed forest. These results and those of previous research on the positional behaviour of other squirrels reveal several trends related to body size, arboreal or gliding habits and tropical or temperate forest distribution and contribute to the understanding of evolutionary novelty in multiple levels within the sciurid radiation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Arboreal locomotor and postural behaviour of European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in northern Greece

Youlatos

Σαμαράς

2010

J Ethol

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“…Chipping (gnawing) in such rodents is predicted to be an inevitable consequence of their limited bite force, which is insufficient to crack the shell (see §3.4). The maximum bite force of Rheithrosciurus macrotis is unknown, but calculations from a regression of bite force in small mammals [34] on body mass [35] predict it could produce at least 150 N. Chipping forces in brittle materials can be estimated by [36] …”

Section: Analysis Of Small Animal Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary optimization of material properties of a tropical seed

Lucas

Gaskins

Lowrey

et al. 2011

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Here, we show how the mechanical properties of a thick-shelled tropical seed are adapted to permit them to germinate while preventing their predation. The seed has evolved a complex heterogeneous microstructure resulting in hardness, stiffness and fracture toughness values that place the structure at the intersection of these competing selective constraints. Analyses of different damage mechanisms inflicted by beetles, squirrels and orangutans illustrate that cellular shapes and orientations ensure damage resistance to predation forces imposed across a broad range of length scales. This resistance is shown to be around the upper limit that allows cracking the shell via internal turgor pressure (i.e. germination). Thus, the seed appears to strike an exquisitely delicate adaptive balance between multiple selection pressures.

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Evolution of gliding in squirrel‐related rodents (Mammalia: Sciuromorpha) did not induce a new optimum on the cortical thickness of the scapular glenoid fossa

Berghäuser

Nyakatura

Wölfer

2022

The Anatomical Record

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Many of the squirrel‐related rodents (i.e., Sciuromorpha) are tree‐dwelling species known to be very agile climbers. This taxon also includes the most diverse clade of gliding (aerial) mammals that likely descended from a non‐gliding arboreal ancestor and evolved a patagium (i.e., a gliding membrane) to increase gliding performance. Glides can cover distances of up to 150 m and landing is typically accomplished by stalling the patagium to reduce impact velocity. It remains unclear if this behavior suffices to keep stresses on the locomotor apparatus similar to those experienced by their arboreal relatives or whether gliding behavior increases landing forces and stresses. The sparsely available support reaction force data are ambiguous, but bone microstructure is highly adaptable to changes in loading regime and likely provides insights into this question. Using μCT scans, we compared the cortical thickness of the glenoid fossa of the shoulder joint between arboreal and aerial Sciuromorpha using evolutionary model comparison, while also accounting for regional differences of the glenoid fossa. We did not find any differences between these locomotor behaviors, irrespective of the glenoid region. These findings agree with previous analyses of the microstructure of the femur in Sciuromorpha. We discuss different aspects that could explain the similarity in cortical thickness. According to our analysis of glenoid cortical thickness the loading regime appears not to have changed after the evolution of gliding locomotion, likely due to adjustments in landing performance.

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Patterns of Body and Tail Length and Body Mass in Sciuridae

Cited by 93 publications

References 116 publications

Arboreal locomotor and postural behaviour of European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in northern Greece

Arboreal locomotor and postural behaviour of European red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in northern Greece

Evolutionary optimization of material properties of a tropical seed

Evolution of gliding in squirrel‐related rodents (Mammalia: Sciuromorpha) did not induce a new optimum on the cortical thickness of the scapular glenoid fossa

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