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CC BY-NC V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Comparative three-dimensional jaw muscle anatomy of marsupial carnivores (Dasyurus spp.) and the termite-eating numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus)
Journal of morphology (1931), Vol.285(3), e21684
2024
PMID: 38439588
Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements
Abstract
Among marsupials, the endangered numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is the only obligate myrmecophage with a diet comprised strictly of termites. Like many other specialised myrmecophagous mammals, numbats have a gracile and highly specialised skull morphology with an elongated rostrum and small braincase. Myrmecobiidae is one of four taxonomic families within the Australasian marsupial order Dasyuromorphia, and to date, the muscular anatomy of any member of this group is relatively poorly known. We utilised microdissection and contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography scanning to provide the first comprehensive qualitative and quantitative descriptions of jaw muscle anatomy in numbats and quolls (Dasuyrus species). The arrangement of the jaw muscles across these species was conservative, both in gross anatomy and muscle proportions, corresponding to a 'generalised' mammalian pattern. In contrast to Dasyurus, the jaw muscles of the numbat were greatly reduced. Many aspects of the muscle anatomy of the numbat were similar to patterns reported in other myrmecophagous species, particularly a greatly reduced temporalis muscle. Unusually, the digastric muscle in the numbat was comprised of a single, large anterior belly while the posterior belly was absent. We propose that the enlarged anterior belly of the digastric may be linked to jaw stabilisation and coordination of tongue movements during feeding. The lateral insertion and fascial connection of the digastric to the tongue in numbats may also aid in distributing stress evenly across the jaw and minimise muscle fatigue. The muscle descriptions and three-dimensional models provided in this study will facilitate further analysis of musculoskeletal adaptation and evolution within the Dasyuromorphia.
Details
- Title
- Comparative three-dimensional jaw muscle anatomy of marsupial carnivores (Dasyurus spp.) and the termite-eating numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus)
- Authors/Creators
- Vanessa J ThomasJeremy Shaw - The University of Western AustraliaNatasha TayNatalie Warburton - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Publication Details
- Journal of morphology (1931), Vol.285(3), e21684
- Publisher
- Wiley Periodicals LLC.
- Identifiers
- 991005645370307891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; Murdoch University; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 8 Earth Sciences
- 8.93 Archaeology
- 8.93.805 Mammalia
- Web Of Science research areas
- Anatomy & Morphology
- ESI research areas
- Biology & Biochemistry