Modeling of the craniomandibular apparatus of Atelocynus microtis (Canidae, Cerdocyonina) and functional morphology through Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

• Grant number: 23/02893-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Physiology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Felipe Chinaglia Montefeltro
• Grantee: Gabriel Domingos David
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

One of the less known Brazilian canids is the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis). Little evidence is available regarding several aspects of the biology of A. microtis. This is particularly evident about the craniomandibular anatomy and feeding habits of the species. In a world in which anthropic actions have intensified in the Amazon region, it is imperative that we study that elusive species in this biome. The increase of information about Amazonian species, including A. microtis, is relevant for later execution of projects aimed at the conservation of these species. This project aims to study the morphofunctional traits of the craniomandibular apparatus and dentition of the short-eared dog through CT scan and finite element analysis (FEA). The study's goal is to infer its performance in silico in which we will model plausible morphofunctional scenarios. It is expected that, with the description of the anatomy of the craniomandibular apparatus of the species and its modeling, we will gather new information and test behavioural and functional hypotheses about its biology. Of particular interest will be the estimative of the species bite force with the in silico reconstruction of the adductor chamber. In addition, the results obtained with modeled scenarios will be compared to the scarce empirical data on the feeding habits of the species, such as types and sizes of prey, and prey killing behavior.