INVESTIGADORES
GIANNINI Norberto Pedro
artículos
Título:
A possible function for an enigmatic synapomorphy of Didelphis. Mammalian Biology
Autor/es:
GIANNINI, NP; GAUDIOSO, P; DAVID A. FLORES; GAUDIN, TJ
Revista:
MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY
Editorial:
ELSEVIER GMBH
Referencias:
Año: 2010
ISSN:
1616-5047
Resumen:
A conspicuous synapomorphy of the marsupial genus Didelphis is
the hypertrophied spinous process of cervical vertebrae (C). The tall,
thick spinous processes of C2 to C6 interlock preventing any movement of
the neck. A functional interpretation of this structure has been
elusive. On the basis of osteological specimens of D. albiventris and D. virginiana,
we propose a possible function. These specimens show large, partially
healed wounds in the spinous processes, indicating that the specimens
survived major traumatisms probably caused by carnivorans, so that the
spinous processes may have acted as neck armor. Didelphis
exhibits several other, well-known defensive traits which, in
combination with generalized feeding and locomotor habits, altogether
may have helped the lineage survive the Late Tertiary extinction waves
in South America and the Great American Biotic Interchange.