Functional correlates of molar topography and trophic diversification of akodontine rodents
Understanding the dietary ecology of a species can help us to elucidate its functional role in the ecosystem as well as the forces that had driven its morphological evolution. However, when dietary data is not available or difficult to obtain, morphological traits can be used to infer diet.
In collaboration with Sharlene Santana and Rafaela Missagia, and as part of my Ph.D. dissertation, I intend to examine the signatures of diet on the evolution of molar topography among a highly ecologically and dietary diverse tribe of Neotropical rodents. Akodontine species offer a unique model system to examine the signatures of diet on the evolution of molar topography which can help us to gain insight into functional adaptations that may have led to ecological specializations, coexistence within diverse communities, and diversification processes. |
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Top photo: Peçanha et al. 2019 (Fig. 10)