Biting forces in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Caviomorpha: Octodontoidea)

BECERRA FEDERICO; ECHEVERRÍA ALEJANDRA ISABEL; VASSALLO ALDO IVÁN; CASINOS PARDOS ADRIÀ

Mendoza (capital) - Argentina

Congreso; IMC-10 - X International Mamalogical Congress; 2009

GIB - IADIZA - CCT - CONICET - IFM - SAREM

Ctenomys talarum is a Southamerican, subterranean and territorial rodent that digs using both forelimbs and incisors, the later being used when animals should confront hard soils, fibrous roots, or rocks. In this poligynous rodent the incisors are also used during inter male aggressive encounter for territory defense and access to females. On 20 wild females and 17 wild males (both adult and young individuals) caught at Mar de Cobo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, biting forces were measured using a Necco force transducer. Biting force was significantly greater in adult males than females (32 N vs. 28 N respectively; F=5.06; P