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Costes P, Klein E, Delapré A, Houssin C, Nicolas V, Cornette R. Comparative morpho-functional analysis of the humerus and ulna in three Western European moles species of the genus Talpa, including the newly described T. aquitania. J Anat 2022; 242:257-276. [PMID: 36156797 PMCID: PMC9877487 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The forelimb is involved in many behaviours including locomotion. Notably, the humero-ulnar articulation, implicated in the elbow joint, is of particular importance for both mobility and stability. Functional constraints, induced in part by environmental plasticity, are thought to drive an important part of the bone shape as bone directly responds and remodels in response to both muscle and external forces. In this context, the study of subterranean moles is of particular interest. These moles occupy a hard and heavy medium in comparison with air or water, requiring a powerful body structure to shear and shift the soil. Their general morphology is therefore adapted to digging and to their subterranean lifestyle. The various morpho-functional patterns, which drive diverse abilities according to the environment, are likely targets of natural selection and it is, therefore, useful to understand the relationships between the bone shape and their function. Here, we quantify, through 3D geometric morphometric methods, the interspecific variability in the morphology of the ulna and humerus of three Talpa species, including the new species Talpa aquitania, to infer their potential consequence in species digging performance. We also quantify shape covariation and morphological integration between the humerus and the ulna to test whether these bones evolve as a uniform functional unit or as more or less independent modules. Our results show that interspecific anatomical differences in the humerus and ulna exist among the three species. Shape changes are mostly located at the level of joints and muscle attachments. As the species tend to live in allopatry and the fossorial lifestyle induces strong ecological constraints, interspecific variations could be explained by the properties of the environment in which they live, such as the compactness of the soil. Our results also show that the humerus and ulna are highly integrated. The covariation between the humerus and ulna in moles is dominated by variation in the attachment areas and particularly of the attachment areas of shoulder muscles concerning the humerus, which affect the mechanical force deployed during locomotion and digging. This study also highlights that in the new species, T. aquitania, variations in anatomical structure (general shape and joints) exist and are related to the locality of collect of the individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Costes
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB)UMR 7205, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance,Mecanismes Adaptatifs et Évolution UMR 7179, CNRSMuséum National d'Histoire NaturelleParisFrance
| | - Estelle Klein
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB)UMR 7205, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
| | - Arnaud Delapré
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB)UMR 7205, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
| | - Céline Houssin
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB)UMR 7205, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
| | - Violaine Nicolas
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB)UMR 7205, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
| | - Raphaël Cornette
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB)UMR 7205, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
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2
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Sansalone G, Paolo C, Riccardo C, Stephen W, Silvia C, Pasquale R. Trapped in the morphospace: The relationship between morphological integration and functional performance. Evolution 2022; 76:2020-2031. [PMID: 35864587 PMCID: PMC9542761 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of complex morphological structures can be characterized by the interplay between different anatomical regions evolving under functional integration in response to shared selective pressures. Using the highly derived humeral morphology of talpid moles as a model, here we test whether functional performance is linked to increased levels of evolutionary integration between humerus subunits and, if so, what the strength is of the relationship. Combining two-dimensional geometric morphometrics, phylogenetic comparative methods, and functional landscape modeling, we demonstrate that the high biomechanical performance of subterranean moles' humeri is coupled with elevated levels of integration, whereas taxa with low-performance values show intermediate or low integration. Theoretical morphs occurring in high-performance areas of the functional landscape are not occupied by any species, and show a marked drop in covariation levels, suggesting the existence of a strong relationship between integration and performance in the evolution of talpid moles' humeri. We argue that the relative temporal invariance of the subterranean environment may have contributed to stabilize humeral morphology, trapping subterranean moles in a narrow region of the landscape and impeding any attempt to reposition on a new ascending slope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Sansalone
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Lab, Zoology Division, School of Environmental and Rural ScienceUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSW2351Australia,Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM)National Research CouncilMessina98122Italy
| | - Colangelo Paolo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial EcosystemsNational Research CouncilMontelibretti00015Italy
| | - Castiglia Riccardo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin,”“La Sapienza” University of RomeRoma00161Italy
| | - Wroe Stephen
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Lab, Zoology Division, School of Environmental and Rural ScienceUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNSW2351Australia
| | - Castiglione Silvia
- Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and ResourcesUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IINaples80138Italy
| | - Raia Pasquale
- Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and ResourcesUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IINaples80138Italy
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Scarpitti EA, Calede JJM. Ecological correlates of the morphology of the auditory bulla in rodents: Application to the fossil record. J Anat 2022; 240:647-668. [PMID: 34747041 PMCID: PMC8930836 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
For rodents, hearing is essential to survival. It enables predator evasion, prey detection, and conspecific recognition; it is also likely to be constrained by the physical environment. The resulting hypothetical link between tympanic bulla morphology and ecology has never been investigated across a broad array of rodent species before. Such link may enable the determination of the ecological affinities of many fossil species only known from partial skulls. In this study, we used geometric morphometrics to quantify the shape of the auditory bulla of 197 specimens representing 91 species from 17 families of extant rodents across four different locomotory modes. We used landmarks and semi-landmarks on the ventral and lateral views of the skull to capture morphological characteristics of the bulla and external auditory meatus (EAM). Our results demonstrate an association between bullar morphology and locomotion in rodents. Bullar shape enables the correct classification of 76% of the species in our training set. Fossorial taxa, in particular, show a characteristic morphology including an asymmetric bulla with a dorsally located and laterally expanded EAM that has a small opening diameter. A phylogenetically informed flexible discriminant analysis shows a weak phylogenetic effect on tympanic morphology. There is no evidence for differences in bullar hypertrophy across locomotory categories. The application of this approach to select fossil rodents from the Oligo-Miocene shows broad agreements with prior studies and yields new locomotory inferences for 14 fossil species, including the first proposed locomotion for members of the family Florentiamyidae. Such results call for the timing of burrowing diversification in rodents to be reevaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan J. M. Calede
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal BiologyThe Ohio State UniversityMarionOhioUSA
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4
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He K, Eastman TG, Czolacz H, Li S, Shinohara A, Kawada SI, Springer MS, Berenbrink M, Campbell KL. Myoglobin primary structure reveals multiple convergent transitions to semi-aquatic life in the world's smallest mammalian divers. eLife 2021; 10:e66797. [PMID: 33949308 PMCID: PMC8205494 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The speciose mammalian order Eulipotyphla (moles, shrews, hedgehogs, solenodons) combines an unusual diversity of semi-aquatic, semi-fossorial, and fossorial forms that arose from terrestrial forbearers. However, our understanding of the ecomorphological pathways leading to these lifestyles has been confounded by a fragmentary fossil record, unresolved phylogenetic relationships, and potential morphological convergence, calling for novel approaches. The net surface charge of the oxygen-storing muscle protein myoglobin (ZMb), which can be readily determined from its primary structure, provides an objective target to address this question due to mechanistic linkages with myoglobin concentration. Here, we generate a comprehensive 71 species molecular phylogeny that resolves previously intractable intra-family relationships and then ancestrally reconstruct ZMb evolution to identify ancient lifestyle transitions based on protein sequence alone. Our phylogenetically informed analyses confidently resolve fossorial habits having evolved twice in talpid moles and reveal five independent secondary aquatic transitions in the order housing the world's smallest endothermic divers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai He
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Triston G Eastman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
| | - Hannah Czolacz
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of LiverpoolLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
| | - Shuhao Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
| | - Akio Shinohara
- Department of Bio-resources, Division of Biotechnology, Frontier Science Research Center, University of MiyazakiMiyazakiJapan
| | - Shin-ichiro Kawada
- Department of Zoology, Division of Vertebrates, National Museum of Nature and ScienceTokyoJapan
| | - Mark S Springer
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, University of California, RiversideRiversideUnited States
| | - Michael Berenbrink
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of LiverpoolLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
| | - Kevin L Campbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of ManitobaWinnipegCanada
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5
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Stein MD, Hand SJ, Archer M, Wroe S, Wilson LAB. Quantitatively assessing mekosuchine crocodile locomotion by geometric morphometric and finite element analysis of the forelimb. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9349. [PMID: 32587803 PMCID: PMC7301899 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological shifts observed in the fossil record of a lineage potentially indicate concomitant shifts in ecology of that lineage. Mekosuchine crocodiles of Cenozoic Australia display departures from the typical eusuchian body-plan both in the cranium and postcranium. Previous qualitative studies have suggested that these crocodiles had a more terrestrial habitus than extant crocodylians, yet the capacity of mekosuchine locomotion remains to be tested. Limb bone shape, such as diaphyseal cross-section and curvature, has been related to habitual use and locomotory function across a wide variety of taxa. Available specimens of mekosuchine limbs, primarily humeri, are distinctly columnar compared with those of extant crocodylians. Here we apply a quantitative approach to biomechanics in mekosuchine taxa using both geomorphic morphometric and finite element methods to measure bone shape and estimate locomotory stresses in a comparative context. Our results show mekosuchines appear to diverge from extant semi-aquatic saltwater and freshwater crocodiles in cross-sectional geometry of the diaphysis and generate different structural stresses between models that simulate sprawling and high-walk gaits. The extant crocodylians display generally rounded cross-sectional diaphyseal outlines, which may provide preliminary indication of resistance to torsional loads that predominate during sprawling gait, whereas mekosuchine humeri appear to vary between a series of elliptical outlines. Mekosuchine structural stresses are comparatively lower than those of the extant crocodylians and reduce under high-walk gait in some instances. This appears to be a function of bending moments induced by differing configurations of diaphyseal curvature. Additionally, the neutral axis of structural stresses is differently oriented in mekosuchines. This suggests a shift in the focus of biomechanical optimisation, from torsional to axial loadings. Our results lend quantitative support to the terrestrial habitus hypothesis in so far as they suggest that mekosuchine humeri occupied a different morphospace than that associated with the semi-aquatic habit. The exact adaptational trajectory of mekosuchines, however, remains to be fully quantified. Novel forms appear to emerge among mekosuchines during the late Cenozoic. Their adaptational function is considered here; possible applications include navigation of uneven terrain and burrowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Stein
- PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Suzanne J Hand
- PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Archer
- PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Wroe
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research Laboratory, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura A B Wilson
- PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Serio C, Raia P, Meloro C. Locomotory Adaptations in 3D Humerus Geometry of Xenarthra: Testing for Convergence. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
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Rosario Carotenuto A, Guarracino F, Šumbera R, Fraldi M. Burrowing below ground: interaction between soil mechanics and evolution of subterranean mammals. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20190521. [PMID: 31910769 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of species is governed by complex phenomena in which biological and environmental features may interact dynamically. Subterranean mammals dig tunnels whose diameter minimizes energetic costs during excavations and display anatomical adaptations in order to burrow structurally stable tunnels according to specific features of the soil. These animals weight from less than 50 g up to 1-2 kg, and dig tunnels with diameters from 3 to 15 cm. The use of allometric laws has enabled these data to be correlated. However, since tunnels need to be stable with respect to the geomechanical characteristics of the resident soils, a mathematical treatment linking the admissible dimensions of tunnels to the environment here suggests a mechanically grounded correlation between the body mass of subterranean mammals and the maximum dimensions of tunnels. Remarkably, such theoretical findings reflect very well the empirical allometric relationship and contribute to explain the wide differences observed in body sizes of subterranean mammals. In this respect, a far from ancillary role of environmental mechanics on the morphological evolution of subterranean mammals can be hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Rosario Carotenuto
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Federico Guarracino
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Radim Šumbera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Massimiliano Fraldi
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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8
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A new, fast method to search for morphological convergence with shape data. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226949. [PMID: 31881075 PMCID: PMC6934287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphological convergence is an intensely studied macroevolutionary phenomenon. It refers to the morphological resemblance between phylogenetically distant taxa. Currently available methods to explore evolutionary convergence either: rely on the analysis of the phenotypic resemblance between sister clades as compared to their ancestor, fit different evolutionary regimes to different parts of the tree to see whether the same regime explains phenotypic evolution in phylogenetically distant clades, or assess deviations from the congruence between phylogenetic and phenotypic distances. We introduce a new test for morphological convergence working directly with non-ultrametric (i.e. paleontological) as well as ultrametric phylogenies and multivariate data. The method (developed as the function search.conv within the R package RRphylo) tests whether unrelated clades are morphologically more similar to each other than expected by their phylogenetic distance. It additionally permits using known phenotypes as the most recent common ancestors of clades, taking full advantage of fossil information. We assessed the power of search.conv and the incidence of false positives by means of simulations, and then applied it to three well-known and long-discussed cases of (purported) morphological convergence: the evolution of grazing adaptation in the mandible of ungulates with high-crowned molars, the evolution of mandibular shape in sabertooth cats, and the evolution of discrete ecomorphs among anoles of Caribbean islands. The search.conv method was found to be powerful, correctly identifying simulated cases of convergent morphological evolution in 95% of the cases. Type I error rate is as low as 4–6%. We found search.conv is some three orders of magnitude faster than a competing method for testing convergence.
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Wölfer J, Nyakatura JA. Weighing homoplasy against alternative scenarios with the help of macroevolutionary modeling: A case study on limb bones of fossorial sciuromorph rodents. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:11025-11039. [PMID: 31641452 PMCID: PMC6802075 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Homoplasy is a strong indicator of a phenotypic trait's adaptive significance when it can be linked to a similar function. We assessed homoplasy in functionally relevant scapular and femoral traits of Marmotini and Xerini, two sciuromorph rodent clades that independently acquired a fossorial lifestyle from an arboreal ancestor. We studied 125 species in the scapular dataset and 123 species in the femoral dataset. Pairwise evolutionary model comparison was used to evaluate whether homoplasy of trait optima is more likely than other plausible scenarios. The most likely trend of trait evolution among all traits was assessed via likelihood scoring of all considered models. The homoplasy hypothesis could never be confirmed as the single most likely model. Regarding likelihood scoring, scapular traits most frequently did not differ among Marmotini, Xerini, and arboreal species. For the majority of femoral traits, results indicate that Marmotini, but not Xerini, evolved away from the ancestral arboreal condition. We conclude on the basis of the scapular results that the forelimbs of fossorial and arboreal sciuromorphs share mostly similar functional demands, whereas the results on the femur indicate that the hind limb morphology is less constrained, perhaps depending on the specific fossorial habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Wölfer
- AG Morphologie und FormengeschichteInstitut für BiologieHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Bild Wissen Gestaltung, Ein Interdisziplinäres LaborHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - John A. Nyakatura
- AG Morphologie und FormengeschichteInstitut für BiologieHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Bild Wissen Gestaltung, Ein Interdisziplinäres LaborHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
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10
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Sansalone G, Colangelo P, Loy A, Raia P, Wroe S, Piras P. Impact of transition to a subterranean lifestyle on morphological disparity and integration in talpid moles (Mammalia, Talpidae). BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:179. [PMID: 31510915 PMCID: PMC6739959 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1506-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the mechanisms promoting or constraining morphological diversification within clades is a central topic in evolutionary biology. Ecological transitions are of particular interest because of their influence upon the selective forces and factors involved in phenotypic evolution. Here we focused on the humerus and mandibles of talpid moles to test whether the transition to the subterranean lifestyle impacted morphological disparity and phenotypic traits covariation between these two structures. RESULTS Our results indicate non-subterranean species occupy a significantly larger portion of the talpid moles morphospace. However, there is no difference between subterranean and non-subterranean moles in terms of the strength and direction of phenotypic integration. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that the transition to a subterranean lifestyle significantly reduced morphological variability in talpid moles. However, this reduced disparity was not accompanied by changes in the pattern of traits covariation between the humerus and the mandible, suggesting the presence of strong phylogenetic conservatism within this pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Sansalone
- Form, Evolution and Anatomy Research Laboratory, Zoology, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Largo San Leonardo Murialdo 1, I-00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Colangelo
- National Research Council, Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Anna Loy
- Environmetrics Lab, Dipartimento STAT, Università del Molise, I-86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Pasquale Raia
- Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and Resources, L.go San Marcellino 10, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Stephen Wroe
- Form, Evolution and Anatomy Research Laboratory, Zoology, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
| | - Paolo Piras
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari,Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, “Sapienza”, Università di Roma, Via del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, 00100 Rome, Italy
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11
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Calede JJM, Samuels JX, Chen M. Locomotory adaptations in entoptychine gophers (Rodentia: Geomyidae) and the mosaic evolution of fossoriality. J Morphol 2019; 280:879-907. [PMID: 31006903 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pocket gophers (family Geomyidae) are the dominant burrowing rodents in North America today. Their fossil record is also incredibly rich; in particular, entoptychine gophers, a diverse extinct subfamily of the Geomyidae, are known from countless teeth and jaws from Oligocene and Miocene-aged deposits of the western United States and Mexico. Their postcranial remains, however, are much rarer and little studied. Yet, they offer the opportunity to investigate the locomotion of fossil gophers, shed light on the evolution of fossoriality, and enable ecomorphological comparisons with contemporaneous rodents. We present herein a quantitative study of the cranial and postcranial remains of eight different species of entoptychine gophers as well as many contemporary rodent species. We find a range of burrowing capabilities within Entoptychinae, including semifossorial scratch-digging animals and fossorial taxa with cranial adaptations to burrowing. Our results suggest the repeated evolution of chisel-tooth digging across genera. Comparisons between entoptychine gophers and contemporaneous rodent taxa show little ecomorphological overlap and suggest that the succession of burrowing rodent taxa on the landscape may have had more to do with habitat partitioning than competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J M Calede
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion, Ohio
| | - Joshua X Samuels
- Department of Geosciences, Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
| | - Meng Chen
- Nanjing University, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Centre for Research and Education on Biological Evolution and Environment, Qixia District, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
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12
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Lin YF, Konow N, Dumont ER. How moles destroy your lawn: the forelimb kinematics of eastern moles in loose and compact substrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.182436. [PMID: 30718373 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.182436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between morphological specialization and kinematic flexibility is important for organisms that move between habitats within different substrates. Burrowing is energetically expensive and requires substantial interaction with soil to dislodge and transport it. True moles (Talpidae) have extraordinary forelimb morphologies and a unique ability to dig in loose as well as compact soils, yet we know little of how moles coordinate their forelimb joint kinematics when digging in soils of different compactness. Using marker-based X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM), we tested the hypothesis that moles burrow using different forelimb kinematics in loose and compact substrates. We predicted that moles raise mounds of loose soil by performing powerful compacting strokes mainly with long-axis rotation of the humerus (i.e. pronation/supination), but shear compact soil away by performing scratching strokes involving amplified elbow extension, similar to most scratching diggers. We also predicted that in both types of substrate, moles displace soil rearward like other mammalian diggers. Our results support our hypothesis but not the predictions. Eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) move substrates upward using compacting strokes in loose substrates and outward from the body midline using scratching strokes in compact substrates; unlike the digging strokes of most mammalian forelimb diggers, the power-stroke of moles itself does not displace substrates directly rearward. Compacting and scratching strokes involve similar ranges of humeral pronation and retraction at the scapulohumeral (shoulder) joint, yet the movements at the elbow and carpal joints differ. Our results demonstrate that the combination of stereotypic movements of the shoulder joint, where the largest digging muscles are located, and flexibility in the elbow and carpal joints makes moles extremely effective diggers in both loose and compact substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fen Lin
- Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Nicolai Konow
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01852, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Dumont
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
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13
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Sakamoto M, Ruta M, Venditti C. Extreme and rapid bursts of functional adaptations shape bite force in amniotes. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20181932. [PMID: 30963871 PMCID: PMC6367170 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation is the fundamental driver of functional and biomechanical evolution. Accordingly, the states of biomechanical traits (absolute or relative trait values) have long been used as proxies for adaptations in response to direct selection. However, ignoring evolutionary history, in particular ancestry, passage of time and the rate of evolution, can be misleading. Here, we apply a recently developed phylogenetic statistical approach using significant rate shifts to detect instances of exceptional rates of adaptive changes in bite force in a large group of terrestrial vertebrates, the amniotes. Our results show that bite force in amniotes evolved through multiple bursts of exceptional rates of adaptive changes, whereby whole groups-including Darwin's finches, maniraptoran dinosaurs (group of non-avian dinosaurs including birds), anthropoids and hominins (fossil and modern humans)-experienced significant rate increases compared to the background rate. However, in most parts of the amniote tree of life, we find no exceptional rate increases, indicating that coevolution with body size was primarily responsible for the patterns observed in bite force. Our approach represents a template for future studies in functional morphology and biomechanics, where exceptional rates of adaptive changes can be quantified and potentially linked to specific ecological factors underpinning major evolutionary radiations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Sakamoto
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6BX, UK
| | - Marcello Ruta
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Chris Venditti
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6BX, UK
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14
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Koyabu D, Hosojima M, Endo H. Into the dark: patterns of middle ear adaptations in subterranean eulipotyphlan mammals. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170608. [PMID: 28989763 PMCID: PMC5627103 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Evolution of the middle ear ossicles was a key innovation for mammals, enhancing the transmission of airborne sound. Radiation into various habitats from a terrestrial environment resulted in diversification of the auditory mechanisms among mammals. However, due to the paucity of phylogenetically controlled investigations, how middle ear traits have diversified with functional specialization remains unclear. In order to identify the respective patterns for various lifestyles and to gain insights into fossil forms, we employed a high-resolution tomography technique and compared the middle ear morphology of eulipotyphlan species (moles, shrews and hedgehogs), a group that has radiated into various environments, such as terrestrial, aquatic and subterranean habitats. Three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis was conducted within a phylogenetically controlled framework. Quantitative shapes were found to strongly reflect the degree of subterranean lifestyle and weakly involve phylogeny. Our analyses demonstrate that subterranean adaptation should include a relatively shorter anterior process of the malleus, an enlarged incus, an enlarged stapes footplate and a reduction of the orbicular apophysis. These traits arguably allow improving low-frequency sound transmission at low frequencies and inhibiting the low-frequency noise which disturbs the subterranean animals in hearing airborne sounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Koyabu
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Vidal-García M, Scott Keogh J. Phylogenetic conservatism in skulls and evolutionary lability in limbs - morphological evolution across an ancient frog radiation is shaped by diet, locomotion and burrowing. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:165. [PMID: 28693418 PMCID: PMC5504843 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-0993-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Quantifying morphological diversity across taxa can provide valuable insight into evolutionary processes, yet its complexities can make it difficult to identify appropriate units for evaluation. One of the challenges in this field is identifying the processes that drive morphological evolution, especially when accounting for shape diversification across multiple structures. Differential levels of co-varying phenotypic diversification can conceal selective pressures on traits due to morphological integration or modular shape evolution of different structures, where morphological evolution of different modules is explained either by co-variation between them or by independent evolution, respectively. Methods Here we used a 3D geometric morphometric approach with x-ray micro CT scan data of the skull and bones of forelimbs and hindlimbs of representative species from all 21 genera of the ancient Australo-Papuan myobatrachid frogs and analysed their shape both as a set of distinct modules and as a multi-modular integrative structure. We then tested three main questions: (i) are evolutionary patterns and the amount and direction of morphological changes similar in different structures and subfamilies?, (ii) do skulls and limbs show different levels of integration?, and (iii) is morphological diversity of skulls and limbs shaped by diet, locomotion, burrowing behavior, and ecology?. Results Our results in both skulls and limbs support a complex evolutionary pattern typical of an adaptive radiation with an early burst of phenotypic variation followed by slower rates of morphological change. Skull shape diversity was phylogenetically conserved and correlated with diet whereas limb shape was more labile and associated with diet, locomotion, and burrowing behaviour. Morphological changes between different limb bones were highly correlated, depicting high morphological integration. In contrast, overall limb and skull shape displayed semi-independence in morphological evolution, indicating modularity. Conclusions Our results illustrate how morphological diversification in animal clades can follow complex processes, entailing selective pressures from the environment as well as multiple trait covariance with varying degrees of independence across different structures. We suggest that accurately quantifying shape diversity across multiple structures is crucial in order to understand complex evolutionary processes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-017-0993-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vidal-García
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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16
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Influence of Evolutionary Allometry on Rates of Morphological Evolution and Disparity in strictly Subterranean Moles (Talpinae, Talpidae, Lipotyphla, Mammalia). J MAMM EVOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-016-9370-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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17
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Lin Y, Chappuis A, Rice S, Dumont ER. The effects of soil compactness on the burrowing performance of sympatric eastern and hairy‐tailed moles. J Zool (1987) 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y.‐F. Lin
- Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA USA
| | - A. Chappuis
- Department of Biology Commonwealth Honors College University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA USA
| | - S. Rice
- Department of Biology Commonwealth Honors College University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA USA
| | - E. R. Dumont
- Department of Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA USA
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18
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He K, Shinohara A, Helgen KM, Springer MS, Jiang XL, Campbell KL. Talpid Mole Phylogeny Unites Shrew Moles and Illuminates Overlooked Cryptic Species Diversity. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 34:78-87. [PMID: 27795230 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian family Talpidae (moles, shrew moles, desmans) is characterized by diverse ecomorphologies associated with terrestrial, semi-aquatic, semi-fossorial, fossorial, and aquatic-fossorial lifestyles. Prominent specializations involved with these different lifestyles, and the transitions between them, pose outstanding questions regarding the evolutionary history within the family, not only for living but also for fossil taxa. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships, divergence times, and biogeographic history of the family using 19 nuclear and 2 mitochondrial genes (∼16 kb) from ∼60% of described species representing all 17 genera. Our phylogenetic analyses help settle classical questions in the evolution of moles, identify an ancient (mid-Miocene) split within the monotypic genus Scaptonyx, and indicate that talpid species richness may be nearly 30% higher than previously recognized. Our results also uniformly support the monophyly of long-tailed moles with the two shrew mole tribes and confirm that the Gansu mole is the sole living Asian member of an otherwise North American radiation. Finally, we provide evidence that aquatic specializations within the tribes Condylurini and Desmanini evolved along different morphological trajectories, though we were unable to statistically reject monophyly of the strictly fossorial tribes Talpini and Scalopini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN , Canada
| | - Akio Shinohara
- Department of Bio-resources, Division of Biotechnology, Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Kristofer M Helgen
- National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
| | - Mark S Springer
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Xue-Long Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Kevin L Campbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN , Canada
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19
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Catalano SA, Torres A. Phylogenetic inference based on landmark data in 41 empirical data sets. ZOOL SCR 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago A. Catalano
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL); FML-CONICET; Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán Tucumán Argentina
| | - Ambrosio Torres
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (UEL); FML-CONICET; Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán Tucumán Argentina
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20
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Püschel TA, Sellers WI. Standing on the shoulders of apes: Analyzing the form and function of the hominoid scapula using geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2015; 159:325-41. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Püschel
- Computational and Evolutionary Biology Group, Faculty of Life Sciences; University of Manchester; Manchester M13 9PT UK
| | - William I. Sellers
- Computational and Evolutionary Biology Group, Faculty of Life Sciences; University of Manchester; Manchester M13 9PT UK
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21
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Maiorino L, Farke AA, Kotsakis T, Teresi L, Piras P. Variation in the shape and mechanical performance of the lower jaws in ceratopsid dinosaurs (Ornithischia, Ceratopsia). J Anat 2015; 227:631-46. [PMID: 26467240 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceratopsidae represents a group of quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaurs that inhabited western North America and eastern Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Although horns and frills of the cranium are highly variable across species, the lower jaw historically has been considered to be relatively conservative in morphology. Here, the lower jaws from 58 specimens representing 21 ceratopsoid taxa were sampled, using geometric morphometrics and 2D finite element analysis (FEA) to explore differences in morphology and mechanical performance across Ceratopsoidea (the clade including Ceratopsidae, Turanoceratops and Zuniceratops). Principal component analyses and non-parametric permuted manovas highlight Triceratopsini as a morphologically distinct clade within the sample. A relatively robust and elongate dentary, a larger and more elongated coronoid process, and a small and dorso-ventrally compressed angular characterize this clade, as well as the absolutely larger size. By contrast, non-triceratopsin chasmosaurines, Centrosaurini and Pachyrhinosaurini have similar morphologies to each other. Zuniceratops and Avaceratops are distinct from other taxa. No differences in size between Pachyrhinosaurini and Centrosaurini are recovered using non-parametric permuted anovas. Structural performance, as evaluated using a 2D FEA, is similar across all groups as measured by overall stress, with the exception of Triceratopsini. Shape, size and stress are phylogenetically constrained. A longer dentary as well as a long coronoid process result in a lower jaw that is reconstructed as relatively much more stressed in triceratopsins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Maiorino
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.,Center for Evolutionary Ecology, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrew A Farke
- Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, Claremont, CA, USA
| | - Tassos Kotsakis
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.,Center for Evolutionary Ecology, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Teresi
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Università Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Piras
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.,Center for Evolutionary Ecology, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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22
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Piras P, Sansalone G, Teresi L, Moscato M, Profico A, Eng R, Cox TC, Loy A, Colangelo P, Kotsakis T. Digging adaptation in insectivorous subterranean eutherians. The enigma ofMesoscalops montanensisunveiled by geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis. J Morphol 2015; 276:1157-71. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Piras
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università di Roma Tre; Largo San Leonardo Murialdo, 1 Roma 00146 Italy
- Center of Evolutionary Ecology, c/o Dipartimento B.S.T., Universita del Molise; Pesche Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Cardiovascolari; Respiratorie; Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, “Sapienza”
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, “Sapienza” - Università di Roma; via Eudossiana 18 Rome 00100 Italy
| | - Gabriele Sansalone
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università di Roma Tre; Largo San Leonardo Murialdo, 1 Roma 00146 Italy
- Center of Evolutionary Ecology, c/o Dipartimento B.S.T., Universita del Molise; Pesche Italy
| | - Luciano Teresi
- Center of Evolutionary Ecology, c/o Dipartimento B.S.T., Universita del Molise; Pesche Italy
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica; LaMS - Modeling & Simulation Lab; Universita Roma Tre; via Della Vasca Navale 84 Roma 00146 Italy
| | - Marco Moscato
- Studio Dentistico Marco Moscato; Viale Mazzini 144 Roma 00195 Italy
| | - Antonio Profico
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale; “Sapienza” Università di Roma; P.Le a. Moro 5 - 00185 Roma Italy
| | - Ronald Eng
- Burke Museum; University of Washington; 17th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street, Box 353010 Seattle, Washington 98105 USA
| | - Timothy C. Cox
- Department of Pediatrics (Craniofacial Medicine); University of Washington & Small Animal Tomographic Analysis Facility, Seattle Children's Research Institute; 1900 9th Avenue Seattle, Washington 98105 USA
| | - Anna Loy
- Center of Evolutionary Ecology, c/o Dipartimento B.S.T., Universita del Molise; Pesche Italy
- Dipartimento B.S.T.; Università del Molise; Pesche Italy
| | - Paolo Colangelo
- Center of Evolutionary Ecology, c/o Dipartimento B.S.T., Universita del Molise; Pesche Italy
- National Research Council; Institute of Ecosystem Study; Largo Tonolli 50 -28922 - Verbania Pallanza (VB) Italy
| | - Tassos Kotsakis
- Dipartimento di Scienze; Università di Roma Tre; Largo San Leonardo Murialdo, 1 Roma 00146 Italy
- Center of Evolutionary Ecology, c/o Dipartimento B.S.T., Universita del Molise; Pesche Italy
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23
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Claeson KM. The impacts of comparative anatomy of electric rays (Batoidea: Torpediniformes) on their systematic hypotheses. J Morphol 2013; 275:597-612. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kerin M. Claeson
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences; Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19082
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24
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Piras P, Maiorino L, Teresi L, Meloro C, Lucci F, Kotsakis T, Raia P. Bite of the cats: relationships between functional integration and mechanical performance as revealed by mandible geometry. Syst Biol 2013; 62:878-900. [PMID: 23925509 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syt053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cat-like carnivorous mammals represent a relatively homogeneous group of species whose morphology appears constrained by exclusive adaptations for meat eating. We present the most comprehensive data set of extant and extinct cat-like species to test for evolutionary transformations in size, shape and mechanical performance, that is, von Mises stress and surface traction, of the mandible. Size and shape were both quantified by means of geometric morphometrics, whereas mechanical performance was assessed applying finite element models to 2D geometry of the mandible. Additionally, we present the first almost complete composite phylogeny of cat-like carnivorans for which well-preserved mandibles are known, including representatives of 35 extant and 59 extinct species of Felidae, Nimravidae, and Barbourofelidae. This phylogeny was used to test morphological differentiation, allometry, and covariation of mandible parts within and among clades. After taking phylogeny into account, we found that both allometry and mechanical variables exhibit a significant impact on mandible shape. We also tested whether mechanical performance was linked to morphological integration. Mechanical stress at the coronoid process is higher in sabertoothed cats than in any other clade. This is strongly related to the high degree of covariation within modules of sabertooths mandibles. We found significant correlation between integration at the clade level and per-clade averaged stress values, on both original data and by partialling out interclade allometry from shapes when calculating integration. This suggests a strong interaction between natural selection and the evolution of developmental and functional modules at the clade level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Piras
- Center for Evolutionary Ecology, Largo San Leonardo Murialdo 1, 00146, Rome, Italy
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25
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Zemlemerova ED, Bannikova AA, Abramov AV, Lebedev VS, Rozhnov VV. New data on molecular phylogeny of the East Asian moles. DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2013; 451:257-260. [PMID: 23975471 DOI: 10.1134/s0012496613040200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
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26
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Meier PS, Bickelmann C, Scheyer TM, Koyabu D, Sánchez-Villagra MR. Evolution of bone compactness in extant and extinct moles (Talpidae): exploring humeral microstructure in small fossorial mammals. BMC Evol Biol 2013; 13:55. [PMID: 23442022 PMCID: PMC3599842 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Talpids include forms with different degree of fossoriality, with major specializations in the humerus in the case of the fully fossorial moles. We studied the humeral microanatomy of eleven extant and eight extinct talpid taxa of different lifestyles and of two non-fossorial outgroups and examined the effects of size and phylogeny. We tested the hypothesis that bone microanatomy is different in highly derived humeri of fossorial taxa than in terrestrial and semi-aquatic ones, likely due to special mechanical strains to which they are exposed to during digging. This study is the first comprehensive examination of histological parameters in an ecologically diverse and small-sized mammalian clade. RESULTS No pattern of global bone compactness was found in the humeri of talpids that could be related to biomechanical specialization, phylogeny or size. The transition zone from the medullary cavity to the cortical compacta was larger and the ellipse ratio smaller in fossorial talpids than in non-fossorial talpids. No differences were detected between the two distantly related fossorial clades, Talpini and Scalopini. CONCLUSIONS At this small size, the overall morphology of the humerus plays a predominant role in absorbing the load, and microanatomical features such as an increase in bone compactness are less important, perhaps due to insufficient gravitational effects. The ellipse ratio of bone compactness shows relatively high intraspecific variation, and therefore predictions from this ratio based on single specimens are invalid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Meier
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zürich, CH-8006, Switzerland
| | - Constanze Bickelmann
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zürich, CH-8006, Switzerland
- Current address: Museum für Naturkunde-Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions-und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstrasse 43, Berlin, D-10115, Germany
| | - Torsten M Scheyer
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zürich, CH-8006, Switzerland
| | - Daisuke Koyabu
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zürich, CH-8006, Switzerland
| | - Marcelo R Sánchez-Villagra
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Karl Schmid-Strasse 4, Zürich, CH-8006, Switzerland
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27
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Bickelmann C, Jiménez R, Richardson MK, Sánchez-Villagra MR. Humerus development in moles (Talpidae, Mammalia). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Bickelmann
- Paleontological Museum and Institute; University of Zurich; Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4 Zurich 8006 Switzerland
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética; Universidad de Granada; Avenida del Conocimiento Granada, Armilla 18100 Spain
| | - Michael K. Richardson
- Institute of Biology; University of Leiden; Sylviusweg 72 Leiden 2333 BE The Netherlands
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