Myology of the masticatory apparatus of herbivorous mammals and a novel classification for a better understanding of herbivore diversity

Marcos D. Ercoli; Alicia Alvarez; Natalie M. Warburton; Christine M. Janis; Elena G. Potapova; Susan W. Herring; Guillermo H. Cassini; Juliana Tarquini; Alexander Kuznetsov

doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac102

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Myology of the masticatory apparatus of herbivorous mammals and a novel classification for a better understanding of herbivore diversity

Journal article

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Myology of the masticatory apparatus of herbivorous mammals and a novel classification for a better understanding of herbivore diversity

Marcos D. Ercoli, Alicia Alvarez, Natalie M. Warburton, Christine M. Janis, Elena G. Potapova, Susan W. Herring, Guillermo H. Cassini, Juliana Tarquini and Alexander Kuznetsov

Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, Online Early

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac102

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Abstract

Diprotodontia

Euungulata

functional anatomy

jaw muscle mass

palaeobiology

Rodentia

zygomasseteric complex

Masticatory muscle features allow for an understanding of how dietary habits and masticatory functions have evolved across mammalian lineages. Herbivorous mammals were traditionally classified as pertaining to either 'ungulate-grinding' or 'rodent-gnawing' morphotypes, but those classes might not adequately encompass the diversity of past and present herbivores. We compiled data for 104 herbivorous (nine orders, including new data for 31 species) and ten non-herbivorous (five orders) extant species and for four extinct taxa, in order to construct a more comprehensive scheme of masticatory morphotypes. A myological phylomorphospace revealed 15 morphotypes, which were tested statistically and interpreted morphofunctionally. Extant herbivorous morphotypes diversified along two main pathways that did not reflect the traditional types. Additionally, some extinct herbivores adapted along alternative pathways to those of extant forms. Early mammaliaforms and mammals possessed muscle proportions almost identical to those of living carnivores. Several more plesiomorphic herbivorous morphotypes were recognized, with some of them retaining generalized myological proportions. The rodent disparity was remarkable and could not be encompassed by a single category or pathway. Features of some derived euungulates and diprotodonts resembled rodents, but only a few extinct euungulates and extant wombats converged closely with them. Criteria for selecting models for palaeobiological reconstructions are discussed.

Details

Title: Myology of the masticatory apparatus of herbivorous mammals and a novel classification for a better understanding of herbivore diversity
Authors/Creators: Marcos D. Ercoli - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Alicia Alvarez - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Natalie M. Warburton - Murdoch University
Christine M. Janis - University of Bristol
Elena G. Potapova - Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution
Susan W. Herring - University of Washington
Guillermo H. Cassini - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Juliana Tarquini - Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos
Alexander Kuznetsov - Institute of Paleontology A A Borisyak
Publication Details: Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, Online Early
Publisher: Oxford Univ Press
Number of pages: 50
Grant note: PUE 22920170100027CO / Agencia Nacional de Promocion de la Investigacion, el Desarrollo Tecnologico y la Innovacion (Agencia I+D+I) PICT 2018-01237 / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET)
Identifiers: 991005580003707891
Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article