Estimation of diet in extinct raccoon dog species by a new method using lower molar ratios
Estimation of diet in extinct raccoon dog species by a new method using lower molar ratios
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使用较低摩尔比的新方法估计已灭绝貉的饮食
DOI：
10.1111/azo.12179
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发表时间：
2017
期刊：
影响因子：
1.2
通讯作者：
Takai M
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Asahara M;Takai M
在许多研究中已经尝试使用形态特征来估计灭绝物种的饮食习惯;然而，以前的方法遇到了一些困难，例如需要专门的设备。在这项研究中，我们描述了一个简单的定量方法来估计饮食习惯，并将其应用到灭绝的浣熊狗（Nyctereutes）物种（食肉动物，哺乳动物）。该方法是基于较低的摩尔比（M2/M1大小），反映了犬科动物的物种饮食（食肉和杂食倾向）。在统计学比较的物种中，中华夜鹰表现出与日本北海道的白夜鹰相似的较低的M2/M1评分，而丁氏夜鹰具有与日本本州和九州的短尾夜鹰相似的较高的M2/M1评分。这些评分表明，中华新银汉鱼和丁氏新银汉鱼的食性分别类似于白色新银汉鱼（相对肉食性）和灵猫新银汉鱼（相对杂食性）。其他已灭绝的浣熊狗也表现出不同的M2/M1评分，表明饮食差异。这些结果表明，浣熊狗在进化过程中经历了饮食过渡或表现出饮食可塑性，而它们的饮食范围可能与现存物种Nyctereutes procyonoides的不同种群保持相同。
Estimation of the dietary habits of extinct species using morphological traits has been attempted in numerous studies; however, previous methods have encountered several difficulties, such as requiring specialized equipment. In this study, we describe an easy quantitative method for estimating the dietary habits, and apply it to extinct raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes) species (Carnivora, Mammalia). The method is based on the lower molar ratios (M2/M1size) that reflect the species diet (carnivorous and omnivorous tendencies) in Canidae. Among the species statistically compared,Nyctereutes sinensisshowed a lower M2/M1score similar to that ofNyctereutes procyonoides albus(Hokkaido, Japan), whereasNyctereutes tingihad a higher M2/M1score similar to that ofNyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus(Honshu and Kyushu, Japan). These scores suggest that the diets ofN. sinensisandN. tingiwere similar to those ofN. p. albus(relatively carnivorous) andN. p. viverrinus(relatively omnivorous), respectively. Other extinct raccoon dogs also showed varied M2/M1score, suggesting dietary difference. These results suggest that raccoon dogs underwent dietary transitions or exhibited dietary plasticity during evolution, while their range of diets might have remained the same as those of different populations of extant speciesNyctereutes procyonoides.