A Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Acetabular Anatomy of the Pteropodidae and Phyllostomidae Families of Bats in Relation to Locomotion
Faculty Mentor
Richard Carter
Mentor Home Department
Biological Sciences
Short Abstract
A Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Acetabular Anatomy of the Pteropodidae and Phyllostomidae Families of Bats in Relation to Locomotion Jay Higgins and Dr. Richard Carter, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. As the only mammals that rely on true flight, research on flight mechanics has dominated the field of bat biomechanics. However, non-flight locomotion plays an extremely important role in the vital behaviors of bats. Taxonomical classification of bats is divided into the two suborders of Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera. Physiologically, it has been established that Yinpterochiroptera members have more efficient arboreal locomotion while Yangochiroptera members have more efficient terrestrial locomotion. However, the functional anatomy has not been investigated. Therefore, this study examined the acetabulum structure of members of the Pteropodidae and Phyllostomidae families, classified within the two suborders respectively, to discover if anatomical variations exist. If such variations are confirmed, then compelling evidence of separate ancestral lineages between the two families exists. Using bat specimen scans from a micro-CT scanner as templates, three-dimensional models of the acetabula, called Meshes, were created with the ORS DragonFly image processing software. Furthermore, the Meshes were imported into another software platform called Ansys Space Claim 2022 for smoothing. Utilizing Slicer 5.0.3 programming, anatomical landmarks were placed along the top and bottom rims of the acetabulum Meshes at equidistant points. A Generalized Procrustes Analysis of these landmarks provided raw, statistical data. Lastly, a Principal Component Analysis was performed in tandem with ANOVA testing to determine any statistical differences in dimensions among the acetabula from each bat. Based upon current knowledge, the expectation is statistically different acetabular structure producing the known discrepancy in locomotive strengths. The presence of variation or lack thereof will provide important evolutionary insight.
Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Start Date
5-4-2024 8:00 AM
End Date
5-4-2024 9:00 AM
Location
D.P. Culp Center Room 272 (East Tennessee Room)
A Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Acetabular Anatomy of the Pteropodidae and Phyllostomidae Families of Bats in Relation to Locomotion
D.P. Culp Center Room 272 (East Tennessee Room)
A Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Acetabular Anatomy of the Pteropodidae and Phyllostomidae Families of Bats in Relation to Locomotion Jay Higgins and Dr. Richard Carter, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. As the only mammals that rely on true flight, research on flight mechanics has dominated the field of bat biomechanics. However, non-flight locomotion plays an extremely important role in the vital behaviors of bats. Taxonomical classification of bats is divided into the two suborders of Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera. Physiologically, it has been established that Yinpterochiroptera members have more efficient arboreal locomotion while Yangochiroptera members have more efficient terrestrial locomotion. However, the functional anatomy has not been investigated. Therefore, this study examined the acetabulum structure of members of the Pteropodidae and Phyllostomidae families, classified within the two suborders respectively, to discover if anatomical variations exist. If such variations are confirmed, then compelling evidence of separate ancestral lineages between the two families exists. Using bat specimen scans from a micro-CT scanner as templates, three-dimensional models of the acetabula, called Meshes, were created with the ORS DragonFly image processing software. Furthermore, the Meshes were imported into another software platform called Ansys Space Claim 2022 for smoothing. Utilizing Slicer 5.0.3 programming, anatomical landmarks were placed along the top and bottom rims of the acetabulum Meshes at equidistant points. A Generalized Procrustes Analysis of these landmarks provided raw, statistical data. Lastly, a Principal Component Analysis was performed in tandem with ANOVA testing to determine any statistical differences in dimensions among the acetabula from each bat. Based upon current knowledge, the expectation is statistically different acetabular structure producing the known discrepancy in locomotive strengths. The presence of variation or lack thereof will provide important evolutionary insight.