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Goyens J, Baeckens S, Smith ESJ, Pozzi J, Mason MJ. Parallel evolution of semicircular canal form and sensitivity in subterranean mammals. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2022; 208:627-640. [PMID: 36251041 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-022-01578-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate vestibular system is crucial for balance and navigation, and the evolution of its form and function in relation to species' lifestyle and mode of locomotion has been the focus of considerable recent study. Most research, however, has concentrated on aboveground mammals, with much less published on subterranean fauna. Here, we explored variation in anatomy and sensitivity of the semicircular canals among 91 mammal species, including both subterranean and non-subterranean representatives. Quantitative phylogenetically informed analyses showed significant widening of the canals relative to radius of curvature in subterranean species. A relative canal width above 0.166 indicates with 95% certainty that a species is subterranean. Fluid-structure interaction modelling predicted that canal widening leads to a substantial increase in canal sensitivity; a reasonably good estimation of the absolute sensitivity is possible based on the absolute internal canal width alone. In addition, phylogenetic comparative modelling and functional landscape exploration revealed repeated independent evolution of increased relative canal width and anterior canal sensitivity associated with the transition to a subterranean lifestyle, providing evidence of parallel adaptation. Our results suggest that living in dark, subterranean tunnels requires good balance and/or navigation skills which may be facilitated by more sensitive semicircular canals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Goyens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Simon Baeckens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Lab, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Jasmine Pozzi
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Matthew J Mason
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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2
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Ali S, Esmat A, Erasha A, Yasuda M, Alsafy M. Morphology and morphometry of the inner ear of the dromedary camel and their influence on the efficiency of hearing and equilibrium. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2022; 8:12. [PMID: 36303215 PMCID: PMC9615196 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-022-00196-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inner ear morphology and size are linked to hearing and balance ability. The goal of this study was to determine the morphology and morphometrics of the dromedary camel's inner ear and how it influences hearing accommodation and equilibrium in the desert environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gross morphology, computed tomography images, and the endocast were used to show the inner ear morphology. A caliper and ImageJ software were used to take measurements on a plastic endocast. RESULTS The presence of the subarcuate fossa, flat cochlea, radii curvature of the semicircular canals, particularly the lateral semicircular canal, orthogonality, and the union between the semicircular canals, along with slightly increased saccule and utricle size, maintains camel balance on sandy ground, even during heavy sandstorms. The cochlear basilar membrane length and cochlea radii ratio aided low-frequency hearing and perception over a wide octave range. CONCLUSION The camel's cochlear characteristics revealed a lengthy basilar membrane, a high radii ratio, 3.0 cochlear canal turns, and a very broad cochlea. The orthogonality of the semicircular canals, the high curvature of the lateral semicircular canal, the presence of the subarcuate fossa, and the confluence between the lateral and posterior semicircular canal were particular specifications that allowed the inner ear of the camel to adapt to desert living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safwat Ali
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Abdelraheem Esmat
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Atef Erasha
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Masahiro Yasuda
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Mohamed Alsafy
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Abees 10th, Alexandria, Egypt.
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3
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Beck RM, Voss RS, Jansa SA. Craniodental Morphology and Phylogeny of Marsupials. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2022. [DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090.457.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin M.D. Beck
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford, U.K. School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales, Australia Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy) American Museum of Natural History
| | - Robert S. Voss
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy) American Museum of Natural History
| | - Sharon A. Jansa
- Bell Museum and Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota
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4
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Lang MM, Bertrand OC, San Martin Flores G, Law CJ, Abdul‐Sater J, Spakowski S, Silcox MT. Scaling Patterns of Cerebellar Petrosal Lobules in Euarchontoglires: Impacts of Ecology and Phylogeny. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305:3472-3503. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Madlen M. Lang
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
| | - Ornella C. Bertrand
- School of GeoSciences University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute Edinburgh Scotland UK
| | | | - Chris J. Law
- Richard Gilder Graduate School, Department of Mammalogy, and Division of Paleontology American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West New York NY
- Department of Biology University of Washington Seattle WA
- The University of Texas at Austin Austin TX
| | - Jade Abdul‐Sater
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
| | - Shayda Spakowski
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
| | - Mary T. Silcox
- Department of Anthropology University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
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5
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Ward DL, Schroeder L, Tinius A, Niccoli S, Voth R, Lees SJ, Silcox M, Viola B, Sanzo P. Ovariectomized Rat Model and Shape Variation in the Bony Labyrinth. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305:3283-3296. [PMID: 35103405 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a serious concern in aging individuals, but has not been explored for its potential to alter the shape of the inner ear by way of increased remodelling in the otic capsule. The otic capsule, or bony labyrinth, is thought to experience uniquely limited remodelling after development due to high levels of osteoprotegerin. On this basis, despite the widespread remodelling that accompanies osteoporosis, we hypothesize that both the shape and volume of the semicircular canals will resist such changes. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three-dimensional geometric morphometric shape analysis on microcomputed tomographic data collected on the semicircular canals of an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. A Procrustes ANOVA found no statistically significant differences in shape between surgery and sham groups, and morphological disparity testing likewise found no differences in shape variation. Univariate testing found no differences in semicircular volume between OVX and control groups. The range of variation in the OVX group, however, is greater than in the sham group but this difference does not reach statistical significance, perhaps because of a combination of small effect size and low sample size. This finding suggests that labyrinthine shape remains a tool for assessing phylogeny and function in the fossil record, but that it is possible that osteoporosis may be contributing to intraspecific shape variation in the bony labyrinth. This effect warrants further exploration at a microstructural level with continued focus on variables related to remodelling. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin L Ward
- University of Toronto, Department of Anthropology, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Lauren Schroeder
- University of Toronto Mississauga, Department of Anthropology, Mississauga, Ontario
| | - Alexander Tinius
- University of Toronto, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Sarah Niccoli
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Ontario
| | - Riley Voth
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Ontario
| | - Simon J Lees
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Ontario
| | - Mary Silcox
- University of Toronto Scarborough, Department of Anthropology, Scarborough, Ontario
| | - Bence Viola
- University of Toronto, Department of Anthropology, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Paolo Sanzo
- Lakehead University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine and School of Kinesiology, Thunder Bay, Ontario
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6
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Weisbecker V, Rowe T, Wroe S, Macrini TE, Garland KLS, Travouillon KJ, Black K, Archer M, Hand SJ, Berlin JC, Beck RMD, Ladevèze S, Sharp AC, Mardon K, Sherratt E. Global elongation and high shape flexibility as an evolutionary hypothesis of accommodating mammalian brains into skulls. Evolution 2021; 75:625-640. [PMID: 33483947 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how the large brains of mammals are accommodated into the dazzling diversity of their skulls. It has been suggested that brain shape is influenced by relative brain size, that it evolves or develops according to extrinsic or intrinsic mechanical constraints, and that its shape can provide insights into its proportions and function. Here, we characterize the shape variation among 84 marsupial cranial endocasts of 57 species including fossils, using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics and virtual dissections. Statistical shape analysis revealed four main patterns: over half of endocast shape variation ranges from elongate and straight to globular and inclined; little allometric variation with respect to centroid size, and none for relative volume; no association between locomotion and endocast shape; limited association between endocast shape and previously published histological cortex volumes. Fossil species tend to have smaller cerebral hemispheres. We find divergent endocast shapes in closely related species and within species, and diverse morphologies superimposed over the main variation. An evolutionarily and individually malleable brain with a fundamental tendency to arrange into a spectrum of elongate-to-globular shapes-possibly mostly independent of brain function-may explain the accommodation of brains within the enormous diversity of mammalian skull form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Weisbecker
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Timothy Rowe
- Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712
| | - Stephen Wroe
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Thomas E Macrini
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, 78228
| | | | - Kenny J Travouillon
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, WA, 6986, Australia
| | - Karen Black
- Earth and Sustainability Science Research Center, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Archer
- Earth and Sustainability Science Research Center, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Suzanne J Hand
- Earth and Sustainability Science Research Center, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jeri C Berlin
- Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712
| | - Robin M D Beck
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, United Kingdom
| | - Sandrine Ladevèze
- CR2P UMR 7207, CNRS/MNHN/Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Alana C Sharp
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, United Kingdom
| | - Karine Mardon
- Centre of Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Emma Sherratt
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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7
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Urciuoli A, Zanolli C, Beaudet A, Pina M, Almécija S, Moyà-Solà S, Alba DM. A comparative analysis of the vestibular apparatus in Epipliopithecus vindobonensis: Phylogenetic implications. J Hum Evol 2021; 151:102930. [PMID: 33422741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2020.102930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pliopithecoids are an extinct group of catarrhine primates from the Miocene of Eurasia. More than 50 years ago, they were linked to hylobatids due to some morphological similarities, but most subsequent studies have supported a stem catarrhine status, due to the retention of multiple plesiomorphic features (e.g., the ectotympanic morphology) relative to crown catarrhines. More recently, some morphological similarities to hominoids have been noted, raising the question of whether they could be stem members of this clade. To re-evaluate these competing hypotheses, we examine the morphology of the semicircular canals of the bony labyrinth of the middle Miocene pliopithecid Epipliopithecus vindobonensis. The semicircular canals are suitable to test between these hypotheses because (1) they have been shown to embed strong phylogenetic signal and reliably discriminate among major clades; (2) several potential hominoid synapomorphies have been identified previously in the semicircular canals; and (3) semicircular canal morphology has not been previously described for any pliopithecoid. We use a deformation-based (landmark-free) three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach to compare Epipliopithecus with a broad primate sample of extant and extinct anthropoids. We quantify similarities in semicircular canal morphology using multivariate analyses, reconstruct ancestral morphotypes by means of a phylomorphospace approach, and identify catarrhine and hominoid synapomorphies based on discrete characters. Epipliopithecus semicircular canal morphology most closely resembles that of platyrrhines and Aegyptopithecus due to the retention of multiple anthropoid symplesiomorphies. However, Epipliopithecus is most parsimoniously interpreted as a stem catarrhine more derived than Aegyptopithecus due to the possession of a crown catarrhine synapomorphy (i.e., the rounded anterior canal), combined with the lack of other catarrhine and any hominoid synapomorphies. Some similarities with hylobatids and atelids are interpreted as homoplasies likely related to positional behavior. The semicircular canal morphology of Epipliopithecus thus supports the common view that pliopithecoids are stem catarrhines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Urciuoli
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Clément Zanolli
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - Amélie Beaudet
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, WITS 2050, South Africa; Department of Anatomy, University of Pretoria, PO Box 2034, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Marta Pina
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, 176 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Sergio Almécija
- Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79(th) Street, New York, NY 10024, USA; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, USA; Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Moyà-Solà
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain; Unitat d'Antropologia (Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la UAB s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David M Alba
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
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8
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Kunimatsu Y, Nakatsukasa M, Shimizu D, Nakano Y, Ishida H. Loss of the subarcuate fossa and the phylogeny of Nacholapithecus. J Hum Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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9
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Gonzales LA, Malinzak MD, Kay RF. Intraspecific variation in semicircular canal morphology—A missing element in adaptive scenarios? AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 168:10-24. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Gonzales
- Department of Biomedical Sciences University of South Carolina School of Medicine‐Greenville Greenville South Carolina
| | - Michael D. Malinzak
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology Duke University Durham North Carolina
- Department of Radiology Duke University School of Medicine Durham North Carolina
| | - Richard F. Kay
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology Duke University Durham North Carolina
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10
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Profico A, Piras P, Buzi C, Di Vincenzo F, Lattarini F, Melchionna M, Veneziano A, Raia P, Manzi G. The evolution of cranial base and face in Cercopithecoidea and Hominoidea: Modularity and morphological integration. Am J Primatol 2017; 79. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Profico
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Paolo Piras
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Costantino Buzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Fabio Di Vincenzo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Flavio Lattarini
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Marina Melchionna
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e delle Risorse; Università di Napoli, Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - Alessio Veneziano
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology; John Moores University; Liverpool United Kingdom
| | - Pasquale Raia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e delle Risorse; Università di Napoli, Federico II; Naples Italy
| | - Giorgio Manzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale; Sapienza Università di Roma; Rome Italy
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11
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Billet G, de Muizon C, Schellhorn R, Ruf I, Ladevèze S, Bergqvist L. Petrosal and inner ear anatomy and allometry amongst specimens referred to Litopterna (Placentalia). Zool J Linn Soc 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Billet
- Steinmann-Institut für Geologie; Mineralogie und Paläontologie; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Nussallee 8 53115 Bonn Germany
- CR2P - UMR 7207 CNRS; MNHN; Univ Paris 06 - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle; 8 rue Buffon CP 38 75005 Paris France
| | - Christian de Muizon
- CR2P - UMR 7207 CNRS; MNHN; Univ Paris 06 - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle; 8 rue Buffon CP 38 75005 Paris France
| | - Rico Schellhorn
- Steinmann-Institut für Geologie; Mineralogie und Paläontologie; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Nussallee 8 53115 Bonn Germany
| | - Irina Ruf
- Steinmann-Institut für Geologie; Mineralogie und Paläontologie; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn; Nussallee 8 53115 Bonn Germany
- Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt; Abteilung Paläoanthropologie und Messelforschung; Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Sandrine Ladevèze
- CR2P - UMR 7207 CNRS; MNHN; Univ Paris 06 - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle; 8 rue Buffon CP 38 75005 Paris France
| | - Lilian Bergqvist
- Avenida Athos da Silveira Ramos; 274, bloco G; Centro de Ciências Matemáticas e da Natureza; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Rio de Janeiro 21941-916 Brasil
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12
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Osipov B, Harvati K, Nathena D, Spanakis K, Karantanas A, Kranioti EF. Sexual dimorphism of the bony labyrinth: a new age-independent method. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2013; 151:290-301. [PMID: 23640711 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Currently in physical anthropology there is a need for reliable methods of sex estimation for immature individuals and highly fragmented remains. This study develops a sex estimation technique from discriminant function analysis of the bony labyrinth as it matures before puberty and can survive taphonomic conditions that would destroy most other skeletal material. The bony labyrinth contains the organs of hearing and balance. For this reason biologists and paleoanthropologists have undertaken research in this area to understand evolutionary changes in locomotion. Prior studies have found clear differences between species, but within-species variation has not been satisfactorily investigated. 3D segmentations of the left and right labyrinths of 94 individuals from a Cretan collection were generated and measured. Mean measurements of height, width, size, and shape indices were analyzed for sexual dimorphism, bilateral asymmetry, and measurement error. Significant sexual dimorphism was detected for several measurements. For sex estimation, the single best variable was the radius of curvature of the posterior semicircular canal, which achieved 76% accuracy. Two multivariate functions increased accuracy to 84%. Although these equations are less accurate than equations for complete long bones and crania, they appear to be as accurate as or better than other techniques for sexing immature individuals and temporal bones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Osipov
- Edinburgh Unit for Forensic Anthropology, School of History Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Baizer JS, Paolone NA, Sherwood CC, Hof PR. Neurochemical organization of the vestibular brainstem in the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Brain Struct Funct 2012. [PMID: 23179862 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-012-0470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chimpanzees are one of the closest living relatives of humans. However, the cognitive and motor abilities of chimpanzees and humans are quite different. The fact that humans are habitually bipedal and chimpanzees are not implies different uses of vestibular information in the control of posture and balance. Furthermore, bipedal locomotion permits the development of fine motor skills of the hand and tool use in humans, suggesting differences between species in the structures and circuitry for manual control. Much motor behavior is mediated via cerebro-cerebellar circuits that depend on brainstem relays. In this study, we investigated the organization of the vestibular brainstem in chimpanzees to gain insight into whether these structures differ in their anatomy from humans. We identified the four nuclei of vestibular nuclear complex in the chimpanzee and also looked at several other precerebellar structures. The size and arrangement of some of these nuclei differed between chimpanzees and humans, and also displayed considerable inter-individual variation. We identified regions within the cytoarchitectonically defined medial vestibular nucleus visualized by immunoreactivity to the calcium-binding proteins calretinin and calbindin as previously shown in other species including human. We have found that the nucleus paramedianus dorsalis, which is identified in the human but not in macaque monkeys, is present in the chimpanzee brainstem. However, the arcuate nucleus, which is present in humans, was not found in chimpanzees. The present study reveals major differences in the organization of the vestibular brainstem among Old World anthropoid primate species. Furthermore, in chimpanzees, as well as humans, there is individual variability in the organization of brainstem nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan S Baizer
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA,
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14
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Gunz P, Ramsier M, Kuhrig M, Hublin JJ, Spoor F. The mammalian bony labyrinth reconsidered, introducing a comprehensive geometric morphometric approach. J Anat 2012; 220:529-43. [PMID: 22404255 PMCID: PMC3390507 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The bony labyrinth in the temporal bone houses the sensory systems of balance and hearing. While the overall structure of the semicircular canals and cochlea is similar across therian mammals, their detailed morphology varies even among closely related groups. As such, the shape of the labyrinth carries valuable functional and phylogenetic information. Here we introduce a new, semilandmark-based three-dimensional geometric morphometric approach to shape analysis of the labyrinth, as a major improvement upon previous metric studies based on linear measurements and angles. We first provide a detailed, step-by-step description of the measurement protocol. Subsequently, we test our approach using a geographically diverse sample of 50 recent modern humans and 30 chimpanzee specimens belonging to Pan troglodytes troglodytes and P. t. verus. Our measurement protocol can be applied to CT scans of different spatial resolutions because it primarily quantifies the midline skeleton of the bony labyrinth. Accurately locating the lumen centre of the semicircular canals and the cochlea is not affected by the partial volume and thresholding effects that can make the comparison of the outer border problematic. After virtually extracting the bony labyrinth from CT scans of the temporal bone, we computed its midline skeleton by thinning the encased volume. On the resulting medial axes of the semicircular canals and cochlea we placed a sequence of semilandmarks. After Procrustes superimposition, the shape coordinates were analysed using multivariate statistics. We found statistically significant shape differences between humans and chimpanzees which corroborate previous analyses of the labyrinth based on traditional measurements. As the geometric relationship among the semilandmark coordinates was preserved throughout the analysis, we were able to quantify and visualize even small-scale shape differences. Notably, our approach made it possible to detect and visualize subtle, yet statistically significant (P = 0.009), differences between two chimpanzee subspecies in the shape of their semicircular canals. The ability to discriminate labyrinth shape at the subspecies level demonstrates that the approach presented here has great potential in future taxonomic studies of fossil specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Gunz
- Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
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Ekdale EG. Morphological variation in the ear region of pleistocene elephantimorpha (Mammalia, Proboscidea) from central Texas. J Morphol 2011; 272:452-64. [PMID: 21284018 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Revised: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A large sample of isolated elephantimorph petrosal bones was recovered from Pleistocene deposits in Friesenhahn Cave, Bexar County, Texas. Morphology of the middle and inner ear of the elephantimorphs is described and variation within the sample is identified. Observed variations occur in the stapedial ratio, morphology of the aquaeductus Fallopii, and connection of the crista interfenestralis to the tympanohyal on the posterior portion of the petrosal to form a foramen for passage of the stapedius muscle. The morphology of the aquaeductus Fallopii supports an ontogenetic explanation for some variation, and a sequence of ossification surrounding the aquaeductus Fallopii, from the anterior end of the canal to the posterior, is hypothesized. The stapedial ratio varies to a high degree across the sample, and such variation should be considered when the ratio is used in phylogenetic analyses. Within the inner ear, the absence of the secondary lamina suggests evolution of low-frequency hearing in extinct proboscideans, which is known for extant elephants. The morphology of the petrosals from Friesenhahn Cave is compared to published descriptions of the ear regions of other extinct proboscideans, and the distribution and evolution of morphologic characters are discussed. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric G Ekdale
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
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Ekdale EG. Ontogenetic Variation in the Bony Labyrinth of Monodelphis domestica (Mammalia: Marsupialia) Following Ossification of the Inner Ear Cavities. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2010; 293:1896-912. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.21234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Jeffery N, Ryan TM, Spoor F. The primate subarcuate fossa and its relationship to the semicircular canals part II: Adult interspecific variation. J Hum Evol 2008; 55:326-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2008.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2007] [Revised: 01/14/2008] [Accepted: 02/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Walker A, Ryan TM, Silcox MT, Simons EL, Spoor F. The semicircular canal system and locomotion: The case of extinct lemuroids and lorisoids. Evol Anthropol 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/evan.20165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Spoor F, Garland T, Krovitz G, Ryan TM, Silcox MT, Walker A. The primate semicircular canal system and locomotion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:10808-12. [PMID: 17576932 PMCID: PMC1892787 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704250104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The semicircular canal system of vertebrates helps coordinate body movements, including stabilization of gaze during locomotion. Quantitative phylogenetically informed analysis of the radius of curvature of the three semicircular canals in 91 extant and recently extinct primate species and 119 other mammalian taxa provide support for the hypothesis that canal size varies in relation to the jerkiness of head motion during locomotion. Primate and other mammalian species studied here that are agile and have fast, jerky locomotion have significantly larger canals relative to body mass than those that move more cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred Spoor
- *Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Theodore Garland
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Gail Krovitz
- eCollege, 4900 South Monaco Street, Denver, CO 80237
| | - Timothy M. Ryan
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802; and
| | - Mary T. Silcox
- Department of Anthropology, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3B 2E9
| | - Alan Walker
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802; and
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Jeffery N, Davies K, Köckenberger W, Williams S. Craniofacial growth in fetal Tarsius bancanus: brains, eyes and nasal septa. J Anat 2007; 210:703-22. [PMID: 17451471 PMCID: PMC2375756 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00725.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The tarsier skull has been of particular interest in studies of primate taxonomy and functional morphology for several decades. Despite this, there remains no comprehensive data on how the tarsier skull develops, especially in relation to the soft-tissues of the head. Here we have documented for the first time fetal development of the skull and brain as well as the nasal septum and eyes in T. bancanus. We have also tested for the possible influence of these tissues in shaping skull architecture. Nineteen post-mortem specimens were imaged using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance microscopy. Landmarks and volume data were collected and analysed. Findings demonstrated massive increases of brain size and eye size as well as flattening of the midline cranial base, facial projection and orbital margin frontation. Little evidence was found to support the notion that growth of the brain or nasal septum physically drives the observed changes of the skull. However, increases in the size of the eyes relative to skull size were associated with orbital margin frontation. With the possible exception of the results for eye size, the findings indicate that rather than forcing change the soft-tissues form a framework that physically constrains the morphogenetic template of the skeletal elements. This suggests, for example, that the degree of cranial base angulation seen in adulthood is not directly determined by brain expansion bending the basicranium, but by brain enlargement limiting the extent of cranial base flattening (retroflexion) in the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Jeffery
- Division of Human Anatomy & Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK.
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