Ecological Inferences from Mandibular Morphology of Peromyscus maniculatus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Discriminant function analysis of mandibles of P. maniculatus from New Mexico and Arizona [USA] reveals that animals living in different habitats, woodlands and grasslands, have different mandibular morphologies. Mandibles from individuals trapped in woodland habitats are slightly longer, with a greater depth of the ramus below the 1st molar and a larger diastemal region, than mandibles from individuals trapped in grassland (open) habitats. A similar range of morphology occurs in samples of prehistoric (600-900 yr old) specimens from the study areas, but the woodland morphotype constitutes a larger proportion of the prehistoric samples. Mandibular morphology of rodents may be influenced by diet, especially during the period of growth between weaning and early adulthood. Dietary differences between animals in woodland vs. grassland habitats may account for the observed morphological patterns.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: