New data about semicircular canal morphology andlocomotion in modern hominoids
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[1] University of Poitiers
University of Poitiers
Arrondissement de Poitiers, Francia
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[2] Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Dübendorf, Suiza
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- Localización: Journal of Anatomy, ISSN 0021-8782, Vol. 231, Nº. 1, 2017, págs. 95-109
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
The labyrinth has two functional parts: the cochlea for audition and the vestibular system for equilibrioception.In the latter, the semicircular ducts and the otolithic organs are sensitive to rotational and linear accelerationsof the head, respectively. The labyrinthine morphology influences perception accuracy, hence the adaptation toa specific locomotor pattern. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between locomotion andsemicircular canal morphology using geometric morphometrics, and to explain these links with existingfunctional models. The influence of factors other than functional constraints on labyrinthine morphology isdiscussed. The left bony labyrinth of 65 specimens was extracted virtually. Five extant hominoid species withvarious locomotion modes were sampled. A set of 13 landmarks was placed on the semicircular canals. After aProcrustes fit, their coordinates were analyzed using a principal component analysis. It was found thatlabyrinthine morphology is significantly distinct between species. More specifically, the differences involve aposterolateral projection of the lateral semicircular canal and the rotation of this canal relative to the verticalcanals. This rotation occurs in the sagittal plane, which is consistent with previous studies based on traditionalmorphometrics. Among extant hominoids, the shape of the canals potentially discriminates species based onposture. This result could be used to reconstruct the locomotor pattern of fossil hominoids
