Evolution Towards Fossoriality and Morphological Convergence in the Skull of Spalacidae and Bathyergidae (Rodentia)

Rodents show a wide range of anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations to life underground. Cranial postcranial bone morphologies are deeply impacted by the modes digging, which can involve either incisors or claws. However, morphological variation these elements still needs be accurately quantified assess degree specializations fossorial rodent families in regards their respective evolution. Here, we focus on morpho-functional characteristics masticatory apparatus two subterranean rodents, Spalacidae Bathyergidae. We quantify skull shape five spalacid genera using geometric morphometric methods, as well biomechanical estimates for adductor muscles, compared with data previously published bathyergids. that spalacids has greater disparity lower than bathyergids, activity, notably chisel-tooth more significantly evolution skull. Among spalacids, Spalax shows most extreme underground displays highest number convergences digging especially regarding its cranial high estimate temporalis muscle. Fewer were observed between other Different evolutionary histories potentially explain discrepancies families, first bathyergid being much older those spalacids.