Análisis del morfoespacio dental de tres linajes de Mimomys (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) por medio de métodos elípticos de Fourier

Abstract

Morphospaces of three Mimomys (Arvicolidae, Rodentia) lineages (occitanus-ostramosensis/minor-medasensis and cappettai- rex) are examined from the characterization of 180 M1 occlusal surface outlines using elliptical Fourier methods combined with image analysis techniques. The outlines are characterized by stepwise ordered series of harmonics, each harmonic being described by four parameters termed elliptical descriptors. Divisions within and between species are proposed and tested by discriminant analysis whilst morphological differences between lineages are quantified by Mahalanobis distances. This high-performance method confirms phyletic gradualism observed within the occitanus-stehlini-polonicus lineage and seems to be an appropriate morphometric technique for distinguishing between the complex tooth shapes of the various rodent lineages.