Is footprint shape a good predictor of arboreality in sigmondontine rodents from a neotropical savanna?

• Autorzy: de Camargo N. F. , Ribeiro J. F. , Gurgel-Goncalves R. , Palma A. R. T. , Mendonca A. F. , Vieira E. M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

We investigated the relation between the footprint shape of the fore and hind feet of sigmodontine rodents and their levels of arboreal activity. Footprint shape was obtained by analyzing the impressions left by identified animals captured in the field after being forced to pass through ink-tracking tunnels or by pressing their previously inked feet on a paper sheet. We used geometric morphometric techniques that use superimposition of landmarks (centers of the pads) to obtain footprint shape variables, which were reduced using multivariate analysis (principal component analysis). Arboreal activity was inferred on the basis of the proportions of individuals captured in arboreal traps (1.5–2.5 m height). Regression analysis of body size and the variable that best represented the footprint shapes (first principal component—PC1) did not indicate significant allometric effects on such shapes. We did not detect any significant phylogenetic effects on the arboreal activity of the rodents, either. The results indicated that the PC1 concerning footprint shapes of ten sigmodontine rodents efficiently reflects the degree of use of arboreal strata by these animals. The species studied showed different levels of arboreal activity and their hind footprints (r 2 = 0.94) were better indicators of arboreality than the fore footprints (r 2 = 0.53). These findings suggest a likely trade off for the fore feet functions. Such functions are probably not strictly related to locomotion. Other biomechanical functions (e.g., shock absorption) and/or manipulation (e.g., food manipulation and grooming) may exert relatively greater influence on the shape of fore feet.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

footprint; predictor; rodent; neotropical savannah; savannah; Cricetidae; morphometry; vertical stratification

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 2012
• Tom: 57
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.261-267,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

de Camargo N. F.

• Pos-graduacao em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

autor

Ribeiro J. F.

• Pos-graduacao em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

autor

Gurgel-Goncalves R.

• Laboratório de Parasitologia e Biologia de Vetores, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

autor

Palma A. R. T.

• Departamento de Sistematica e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brazil

autor

Mendonca A. F.

• Laboratorio de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, CP 04457, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, 70919-970, Brazil

autor

Vieira E. M.

• Laboratorio de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, CP 04457, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, 70919-970, Brazil

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