Carnivoran Hunting Style and Phylogeny Reflected in Bony Labyrinth Morphometry

摘要: Carnivorans are a highly diverse and successful group of mammals, found on the top food chain. They originated in Palaeocene (ca. 60 Ma) have developed numerous lifestyles, locomotion modes hunting strategies during their evolutionary history. Mechanosensory organs, such as inner ear (which houses senses equilibrium hearing), represent informative anatomical systems to obtain insights into function, ecology phylogeny extant extinct vertebrates. Using µCT scans, we examined bony labyrinths broad sample various carnivoran species, new information about behaviours ancient carnivorans. Bony were digitally reconstructed measurements taken directly from these 3D models. Principal component analyses generally separated (pursuit, pounce, ambush occasional), but also support phylogenetic relationships (Canoidea vs. Feloidea). The height, width length all three semicircular canals show functional morphological adaptations, whereas diameter canals, height cochlea particularly angle between lateral canal indicate signal. results demonstrate that labyrinth provides powerful ecological proxy reflecting both predatory habits well