Mandible shape variation and feeding biomechanics in minks.

ABSTRACT: European and American minks are very similar in ecology, behavior and morphology. Both species hunt terrestrial vertebrates and aquatic prey, but the American mink is a more generalist predator which, among other factors, allows it to outcompete the European mink in areas where it has been introduced. We used 3D geometric morphometrics and estimates of muscle mechanical advantage to assess the degree of variation in mandibular morphology, and to determine whether such variation reflects dietary differences between the two species. The three main axes of variation represented interspecific differences, a common allometric trajectory between species and sexes, and the interspecific effect of sexual size dimorphism, with males having overall stronger bites than females. Differences in mandibl

SUBMITTER: Galvez-Lopez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8943020 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature