Inferring diet from dental morphology in terrestrial mammals

摘要: Summary Dietary inferences are a key foundation for paleoecological, ecomorphological and macroevolutionary studies because they inform us about the direct relationships between components of an ecosystem. However, we need to consider range dietary variation want investigate characterize before choosing proxy. The goal present work is evaluate differences in discrimination power our new method, multidimensional multi-proxy dental morphology analysis (MPDMA) unidimensional proxies such as orientation patch count (OPCR), relief index (RI) or slope. In order do that, three-dimensionally scanned dentitions 134 extant mammals including 28 marsupials (order Diprotodontia) 106 placentals (orders Carnivora, Primates Rodentia) classified their diets using classification scheme that emphasizes primary resource given diet. Diet categories included herbivory, carnivory, frugivory, granivory, insectivory, fungivory, gumivory generalist. Unidimensional significantly discriminate (P < 0·05) one two diet on hand rest other. For example, OPCR discriminates well carnivorous non-carnivorous species. none individual all eight categories. Multi-proxy demonstrates significant morphological across (MANOVA, d.f. = 7; F = 7·56; P < 0·05) correctly 67–82% specimens data set excluding rodents respectively. Combining different variables makes it possible draw better fully represent nature specializations. Our results have important applications ecological, paleoecological evolutionary research.