Titre du projet

Morphological diversity in endemic Malagasy carnivores: Only size matters?

Descriptif du projet

Niche opportunities provided by islands after colonisation may promote the capacity of any given body plan to evolve in a short amount of time. Among endemic Malagasy mammals, the Eupleridae (order Carnivora) is probably one of the most fascinating. Indeed, Malagasy carnivorans present a wide range of ecological adaptations and a high morphological disparity. In this study, our aims were to explore the phenotypic diversity of Malagasy carnivorans and to assess the importance of allometry in the phenotypic and ecological diversity of this family. Using 3D geometric morphometrics analyses, we investigated shape differences of the cranium and mandible. In addition, we used dry skull method to assess bite force in order to investigate the effect of size in bite force performances. Our results quantified the specific morphological differences between species. Size increase and ecological specialisation have both contributed to phenotypic diversity in this family. Surprisingly, our results suggested that the morphological differences between cat-like Cryptoprocta and mongoose-like Galidictis are mainly due to size and not shape. In contrast, Eupleres and Fossa strongly differ morphologically from all the others probably in relation to their peculiar feeding ecology. The high bite force estimate for Cryptoprocta seems to be mainly a consequence of its larger size. Finally, our results reveal a strong diversity in the bite force estimation in relation to diet in this family.

Travaux réalisés par la plateforme Surfaçus

Collection	No Inventaire	Descriptif	Vignette	Equipement
ZM	2014-571	Cryptoprocta ferox spelea, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	AC-1974-148	Cryptoprocta ferox spelea, mandibule gauche		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1867-591	Mungotictis decemlineata, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1880-1962	Galidictis fasciata, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1880-2539	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule droite		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1880-2539	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule gauche		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1880-2540	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule gauche		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1880-2542	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule droite		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1880-2554	Salanoia concolor, mandibule, femelle		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1881-161	Galidictis fasciata, mandibule, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1881-288	Mungotictis decemlineata, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1932-3529	Galidia elegans, cr�ne, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1932-3539	Galidictis fasciata, mandibule, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1932-3555	Fossa fossana, mandibule, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1961-1029	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule droite, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-1121	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule droite		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-2071	Galidia elegans, cr�ne, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-2071	Galidia elegans, mandibule, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-2073	Fossa fossana, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-2091	Eupleres goudotii, mandibule droite		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-2109	Galidia elegans, cr�ne, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1962-2109	Galidia elegans, mandibule droite, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1974-148	Cryptoprocta ferox spelea, crâne		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1977-555	Cryptoprocta ferox, mandibule, m�le		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1977-556	Cryptoprocta ferox, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1977-755	Cryptoprocta ferox spelea, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1977-755	Cryptoprocta ferox spelea, cr�ne		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D
ZM	MO-1977-756	Cryptoprocta ferox spelea, mandibule		Breuckmann StereoSCAN3D