Nasal cavity evolution: morphological variation of the turbinal skeleton across key lineages of American tree squirrels

• Grant number: 25/14428-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: January 19, 2026
• End date: July 18, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Reis Percequillo
• Grantee: Marcos Angelo Alves Filho
• Supervisor: Robert Sheridan Voss
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: American Museum of Natural History, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/16129-7 - Morphofunctional disparity in the radiation of South American squirrels of the tribe Sciurini, BP.MS

Abstract

Computed tomography (microCT) has revolutionized the way zoologists access and study morphological features, enabling the exploration of internal structures in previously understudied regions of the skull, such as the nasal cavity. This project aims to expand the geographical and taxonomic coverage of my M.Sc. research project by investigating the morphological variation of the turbinal bones within the nasal cavity of tree squirrels (Sciuridae: Sciurini) from Central and North America. Turbinals are delicate, scroll-like bones that play crucial roles in olfaction and thermoregulation, yet their internal complexity remains understudied in most mammalian groups, including the tree squirrels. My plan is to use microCT, a non-destructive tool, to scan specimens of tree squirrels from Central and North America, as well as complementary samples from South America housed at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) to obtain high-resolution 3D images of the nasal cavity. Steps of scanning and digitally segmenting the specimens will be conducted at AMNH imaging facilities under the supervision of Dr. Robert Voss. The turbinal skeleton will be examined for about 18 species, with the focus of describing the morphological variation in light of the recent phylogenetic and biogeographic hypotheses proposed for the group. This research intent to generate the first comprehensive dataset of turbinal morphology for Sciurini, contributing to the understanding of cranial evolution in squirrels and addressing a significant gap in mammalian anatomy. Additionally, the training and experience gained through this BEPE will enhance technical and academic capacities, fostering future collaborations and scientific dissemination in Brazil.