Three-dimensional dental microwear texture analysis and diet in extant Suidae (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla)

Abstract

International audienceWe investigated the dietary differences among four extant suid genera using 3D dental microwear texture analysis on the enamel surfaces of molar shearing facets. We tested the differences among four taxa for four variables: complexity, anisotropy, and heterogeneity at two scales. This enabled us to distinguish omnivorous taxa (Sus scrofa and Potamochoerus sp.) from herbivorous ones (Phacochoerus africanus and Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) in terms of complexity. Heterogeneity likely distinguishes the suids displaying specialized diets (homogenous surfaces in the grazer Ph. africanus) from the more generalized suids (heterogeneous surfaces in the omnivorous S. scrofa and Potamochoerus sp., and mixed feeder herbivorous H. meinertzhageni). This study represents the first step toward a better comprehension of the diet and ecology of extant and fossil suids and also puts forward new hypotheses to be tested, especially on the effects of rootling behavior

The case of the grass‐eating suids in the Plio‐Pleistocene Turkana Basin: 3D dental topography in relation to diet in extant and fossil pigs

“…meinertzhageni ) in terms of complexity, and heterogeneity distinguished specialized diet of P . africanus from the other taxa (Souron, Merceron, et al, ). In addition, the results of this study demonstrates that the omnivorous suids from the tropics, Potamochoerus and Babyrousa , differ from the generalist S .…”

“…The two species have been found to have different dental microwear texture (Lazagabaster, ). However, Souron et al () did not find similar differences, which can be result from differences in technical parameters or the sampling of different populations. The difference found by Lazagabaster () might occur due to the ecological differences in their habitats, P .…”

“…They inhabit thick vegetation areas from mountain bamboo forests to bushlands (Reyna‐Hurtado, d'Huart, & Turkalo, ). Differences observed in dental microwear between forest hogs and other suids have been interpreted to reflect the observed mixed‐feeding habits of Hylochoerus (Souron, Merceron, et al, ). Insects and their larvae might also be an important part of their diet (Ewer, ).…”

Silicon-based plant defences, tooth wear and voles

“…More specifically, an increase in dietary abrasiveness is expected to result in higher texture anisotropy (epLsar) and lower complexity (Asfc). Indeed, previous studies on wild, modern ungulates have shown that grazers have lower complexity and higher anisotropy than mixed feeders and browsers (Merceron et al, 2014;Schulz et al, 2013b;Scott, 2012;Souron et al, 2015;Ungar et al, 2007). 2D microwear analyses of herbivorous and omnivorous muroid rodents point to the same patterns (e.g.…”

“…This parameter has been proposed to be an indicator of dietary breadth Souron et al, 2015; but see Schulz et al, 2013a). Two outliers were identified (outside of 1.5 times the interquartile range) in summer in Olszowa Droga.…”