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University Physiologist Tel: +44 (0)1223 333829, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333840, E-mail: mjm68@cam.ac.uk
Basso, A.P., Sidorkewicj, N.S., Casanave, E.B., Mason, M.J. (2020) The middle ear of the pink fairy armadillo Chlamyphorus truncatus (Xenarthra, Cingulata, Chlamyphoridae): comparison with armadillo relatives using computed tomography. Journal of Anatomy 236: 809-826.
This project represented a collaboration between an Argentinian research group and myself. We examined the middle ears of several species of armadillos from Argentina through micro-CT, looking in particular at whether the little-known pink fairy armadillo has ear characteristics similar to those found in other burrowing mammals such as moles and mole-rats. It did indeed show some similarities, but the species with the largest middle ear cavity, in relative and absolute terms, was actually the screaming hairy armadillo. Low-frequency hearing, augmented by a voluminous middle ear cavity, seems to be linked more to arid habitats than living underground. Unusual features of the armadillo ear included the absence of a pedicellate lenticular apophysis and the retention of long anterior processes in ossicles which otherwise have 'freely mobile' features.
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