Evolution of the middle ear apparatus in Talpid moles

Journal of Morphology
Matthew J Mason

Abstract

The middle ear structures of eight species of mole in the family Talpidae (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla) were studied under light and electron microscopy. Neurotrichus, Parascalops, and Condylura have a simple middle ear cavity with a loose ectotympanic bone, ossicles of a "microtype" morphology, and they retain a small tensor tympani muscle. These characteristics are ancestral for talpid moles. Talpa, Scalopus, Scapanus, and Parascaptor species, on the other hand, have a looser articulation between malleus and ectotympanic bone and a reduced or absent orbicular apophysis. These species lack a tensor tympani muscle, possess complete bullae, and extensions of the middle ear cavity pneumatize the surrounding basicranial bones. The two middle ear cavities communicate in Talpa, Scapanus, and Parascaptor species. Parascaptor has a hypertrophied malleus, a feature shared with Scaptochirus but not found in any other talpid genus. Differences in middle ear morphology within members of the Talpidae are correlated with lifestyle. The species with middle ears closer to the ancestral type spend more time above ground, where they will be exposed to high-frequency sound: their middle ears appear suited for transmission of high frequencies. The spe...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 1, 2006·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Matthew J MasonMelinda J Duer
Nov 14, 2012·The Journal of Laryngology and Otology·M J Mason, M R B Farr
Dec 5, 2012·PloS One·John R Wible, Michelle Spaulding
Jan 23, 2016·Biological cybernetics·Matthew J Mason
Nov 4, 2010·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Serkan Erdogan, Mehmet Kilinc
Oct 22, 2013·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Kai HeKevin L Campbell
Oct 27, 2017·Journal of Morphology·Wolfgang MaierIrina Ruf
Jan 26, 2010·Nature·Nina VeselkaM Brock Fenton
Aug 21, 2010·Nature·Nancy B SimmonsGregg F Gunnell
Jan 18, 2015·Journal of Biological Physics·Joseph Livni, Lewi Stone
Oct 11, 2017·Royal Society Open Science·Daisuke KoyabuHideki Endo
Sep 19, 2020·Anatomia, histologia, embryologia·Cristian Olimpiu MartonosFlorin Gheorghe Stan
Oct 28, 2021·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Kai R CasparSabine Begall

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