Dr. Matthew Mason: Further Information...
University Physiologist Tel: +44 (0)1223 333829, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333840, E-mail: mjm68@cam.ac.uk
Argyle, E.C. & Mason, M.J. (2008) Middle ear structures of Octodon degus (Rodentia: Octodontidae), in comparison with those of subterranean caviomorphs. Journal of Mammalogy 89: 1447-1455.
Degus are semi-fossorial mammals from South America, related to guinea pigs. In this paper, we provide the first detailed description of the degu middle ear, finding that it is very similar in structure to that of other caviomorphs, both terrestrial (e.g. the guinea-pig and chinchilla) and subterranean (e.g. the tuco-tuco and Spalacopus). We argue that although comparisons between the middle ear of subterranean caviomorphs and murine rodents such as mice and rats might lead one to conclude that the caviomorphs have ears specialized towards low-frequency sound transmission, comparing these ears to those of degus and other caviomorphs suggests that their apparent low-frequency adaptations are actually shared features of the caviomorph group as a whole, and cannot therefore be considered to be specializations for a subterranean lifestyle.
This study builds upon my earlier study of the ear of the tuco-tuco Ctenomys sociabilis (Mason, 2004b).
To access this paper via the Journal of Mammalogy website, please click here.
Please contact me if you would like to be sent a reprint copy of this paper.