Functional evolution of the feeding system in rodents.

PloS One
P G CoxNathan S Jeffery

Abstract

The masticatory musculature of rodents has evolved to enable both gnawing at the incisors and chewing at the molars. In particular, the masseter muscle is highly specialised, having extended anteriorly to originate from the rostrum. All living rodents have achieved this masseteric expansion in one of three ways, known as the sciuromorph, hystricomorph and myomorph conditions. Here, we used finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the biomechanical implications of these three morphologies, in a squirrel, guinea pig and rat. In particular, we wished to determine whether each of the three morphologies is better adapted for either gnawing or chewing. Results show that squirrels are more efficient at muscle-bite force transmission during incisor gnawing than guinea pigs, and that guinea pigs are more efficient at molar chewing than squirrels. This matches the known diet of nuts and seeds that squirrels gnaw, and of grasses that guinea pigs grind down with their molars. Surprisingly, results also indicate that rats are more efficient as well as more versatile feeders than both the squirrel and guinea pig. There seems to be no compromise in biting efficiency to accommodate the wider range of foodstuffs and the more general feeding...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 27, 2014·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Paula VickertonNathan Jeffery
Oct 10, 2014·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·J GoyensJ Dirckx
Nov 16, 2013·PloS One·Ana Rosa Gómez CanoM Ángeles Alvarez-Sierra
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Methods Mentioned

BETA
dissection

Software Mentioned

Abaqus
Abaqus Python
R

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