The forelimbs of Octodontidae (Rodentia: Mammalia): substrate use, morphology, and phylogenetic signal

Rodents of the family Octodontidae, endemic to South America, represent a group with low taxonomic richness (six genera and 14 species) but have great ecomorphological diversity epigean, semi-fossorial, fossorial, subterranean forms. We analyzed morphometric variation in humerus ulna, possible relationship substrate preference use, presence phylogenetic signal forelimbs traits (five biomechanical indices). Our results show that, octodontids, forelimb was not primarily associated their phylogeny some attributes are highly explanatory terms function, clear differentiation between use gradient extremes (i.e. epigean forms). The two traits, development humeral epicondyles olecranon process indicative adaptive trends found Octodontidae consistent most those described for other mammals corroborate relevance characters differentiate modes locomotion or preferences.