Ontogenetic trajectories of key morphofunctional cranial traits in South American subterranean ctenomyid rodents

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy Vol. 91; no. 6; pp. 1508 - 1516
• Main Authors: Verzi, Diego H., Álvarez, Alicia, Olivares, A. Itatí, Morgan, Cecilia C., Vassallo, Aldo I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820 American Society of Mammalogists 16.12.2010; Allen Press Publishing Services; Allen Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Allometry; Animal morphology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological evolution; Biological taxonomies; craniomandibular traits; ctenomyid rodents; Developmental stages; Endangered & extinct species; Evolution; FEATURE ARTICLES; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mammalia; ontogenetic allometries; Rodents; Skull; subterranean habits; Teeth; Trajectories; Variables; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Zoology; South America; America; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Rodentia; Development; craniomandibular traits; ontogenetic allometries; Allometry; subterranean habits; ctenomyid rodents

Ontogenetic allometries of craniomandibular and dental features linked to digging were analyzed in 5 species of the South American subterranean rodent Ctenomys (tuco-tucos). With the exception of upper incisor procumbency, variables showed high correlation with overall skull size. In particular, cra...