Ecomorphological characterization of Murinae and hypsodont "Cricetidae" (Rodentia) from the Iberian Plio-Pleistocene

Abstract

In order to make inferences on the climatic range of extinct rodent genera, cluster analysis using dental morphological variables is performed. The goal of this study is to obtain rodent groupings which relate extinct an extant rodent genera on the basis of the ecomorphology of the dentition. The method is applied to two rodent groups, Murinae and hypsodont ¿Cricetidae¿ from the Iberian Plio- Pleistocene. The results show that dental morphology of the Plio-Pleistocene Murinae from the Iberian Peninsula shows similar patterns to those found in extant genera inhabiting tropical forested biomes. The hypsodont ¿Cricetidae¿ show a close relationship... (Ver más) in dental pattern to that of Phillotini genera, which are inhabitants of herbaceous biomes mainly. The coexistence of both studied groups in the Spanish Plio-Pleistocene could imply an ecological segregation between them. The Murinae would preferably occupy the forested areas and the hypsodont ¿Cricetidae¿ the areas with open landscapes. Nevertheless, both groups contain genera that could occupy both types of ecosystems (Huerzelerimys and Ruscinomys).