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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Morpholog...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Morphology
Article . 2017 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
Data sources: Crossref
Journal of Morphology
Article . 2017
Data sources: u:cris
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Functional morphological adaptations of the bony labyrinth in marsupials (Mammalia, Theria)

Authors: Cathrin Pfaff; Stefan Czerny; Doris Nagel; Jürgen Kriwet;

Functional morphological adaptations of the bony labyrinth in marsupials (Mammalia, Theria)

Abstract

AbstractDiprotodontia represents the largest and ecologically most distinct order of marsupials occurring in Australasian being highly divers in size, locomotion, habitat preferences, feeding, and activity pattern. The spatial orientation in the habitat and therefore the three‐dimensional space is detected by the vestibular system of the inner ear, more precisely by the three semicircular canals. In this study, we investigated the bony labyrinth of diprotodontian and selected non‐diprotodontian marsupial mammals of almost all genera with noninvasive micro‐CT scanning and 3D‐reconstructions. In principal component analyses, the subterranean taxon can be separated from gliding and saltatorial taxa, whereas arboreal species can be separated from saltatorial specimens. The highest PCA loadings of this functional distinction are clearly found in the diameter of the semicircular canals, whereas the overall shape (height, width, length) of the semicircular canals is less important. Additionally, the investigated arboreal and fossorial species of South America are nested in the morphospace of the Australasian taxa. Even if a phylogenetic signal in the anatomy of the bony labyrinth cannot be excluded entirely, the main functional morphological signal of the vestibular system is found in the diameter of the semicircular canals. With the large dataset of extant marsupial mammals analysed here, the locomotion mode of extinct taxa can be inferred in future studies independent of any evidence of postcranial material.

Country
Austria
Related Organizations
Keywords

inner ear, DIVERSITY, VESTIBULAR SYSTEM, SEMICIRCULAR CANAL SYSTEM, Inner ear, semicircular canals, DIVERGENCE, Animals, RADIATIONS, Phylogeny, Principal Component Analysis, vestibular system, INNER-EAR, LOCOMOTION, Adaptation, Physiological, ANATOMY, EVOLUTION, locomotion, 105118 Paläontologie, SIZE, Marsupialia, Vestibule, Labyrinth, 105118 Palaeontology, morphometry

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
19
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%
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