Craniometria comparada dos xenarthra (mammalia - dasypodidae) da Amazônia

Abstract

The family Dasypodidae (armadillos) occupies several niches in South America, presenting different morpho-functional adaptations, among which those related to cranial morphology linked to feeding habits. This work aims specifically to determine the relationship between craniometry and chewing habits of Amazonian armadillos. The methodology applied follows the work in cranial morphometry and was composed of the following steps: (1) measurements made by pachymeter between cranial points relevant to the study in question, using as materials 54 skulls of the genera Dasypus, Cabassous, Euphractus and Priodontes from the Zoology collection of MPEG; (2) analysis of the variables in natural logarithm; and (3) statistical analysis. Multivariate analysis (PCA and UPMGA) and linear regression methods separate individuals regardless of body size. Diversification at the level of eating habit is considered here as the main cause of separation, due to the fact that the data come from specific measurements of points related to masticatory biomechanics. The feeding habit is only part of the ecological characterization of an individual. Therefore, other morpho-functional characteristics implicated in the performance of a species within its habitat, such as locomotor type and foraging strategies, should also be verified.