Blind Mole Rat (Spalax leucodon ) masseter muscle: structure, homology, diversification and nomenclature.
Schlüsselwörter
Abstrakt
BACKGROUND
It is well known that rodents are defined by a unique masticatory apparatus. The present study describes the design and structure of the masseter muscle of the blind mole rat (Spalax leucodon). The blind mole rat, which emerged about 5.3-3.4 million years ago during the Late Pliocene period, is a subterranean,hypoxia-tolerant and cancer-resistant rodent. Yet, despite these impressive characteristics, no information exists on their masticatory musculature.
METHODS
Fifteen adult blind mole rat were used in this study. Dissections were performed to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the masseter muscle.
RESULTS
The muscle was comprised of three different parts: the superficial masseter, the deep masseter and the zygomaticomandibularis muscle. The superficial masseter originated from the facial fossa at the ventral side of the infraorbital foramen. The deep masseter was separated into anterior and posterior parts. The anterior part of the zygomaticomandibularis muscle arose from the snout and passed through the infraorbital foramen to connect on the mandible.
CONCLUSIONS
The construction of the deep masseter and zygomaticomandibularis muscles were of the Myomorpha type. Further studies are needed to reveal features such as muscle biomechanics, muscle types.
