Three-dimensional analysis of mandibular morphology in Otolemur

✍ Scribed by Anne M. Burrows; Timothy D. Smith

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 259 KB
• Volume: 127
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0002-9483
• DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20183

✦ Synopsis

Euclidean distance matrix analysis (EDMA) of three-dimensional data is used here to examine mandibular morphology between two species of galagos. Otolemur crassicaudatus consumes primarily exudates, while O. garnettii is more frugivorous. Acquisition of exudates involves either gouging or scraping tree bark, and may involve different forces at the mandible than incising fruits. Previous studies of mandibular morphology in exudate-feeding primates produced mixed results, some suggesting that morphological specializations reflect adaptations for greater force at the anterior dentition, while others suggest specializations for producing a large gape. This study addresses these controversies by testing predictions associated with O. crassicaudatus generating greater force at the anterior dentition or producing a larger gape relative to O. garnettii. In addition, this study tests predictions associated with specializations of the anterior dentition in O. crassicaudatus as related to exu-