Thor's Hero Shrew

A new hero emerges: another exceptional mammalian spine and its potential adaptive significance

Authors:

1. William T. Stanley (a)
2. Lynn W. Robbins (b)
3. Jean M. Malekani (c)
4. Sylvestre Gambalemoke Mbalitini (d)
5. Dudu Akaibe Migurimu (d)
6. Jean Claude Mukinzi (d)
7. Jan Hulselmans (e)
8. Vanya Prévot (f)
9. Erik Verheyen (e,f)
10. Rainer Hutterer (g)
11. Jeffrey B. Doty (h)
12. Benjamin P. Monroe (h)
13. Yoshinori J. Nakazawa (h)
14. Zachary Braden (h)
15. Darin Carroll (h)
16. Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans (a,i)
17. John M. Bates (a)
18. Jacob A. Esselstyn (j)

Affiliations:

a. Science and Education, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA

b. Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA

c. Department of Biology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

d. Laboratory of Ecology and Animal Resource Management, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

e. Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium

f. Vertebrate Department, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium

g. Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany

h. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

i. College of Professional Studies, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, USA

j. 0Department of Biological Sciences and Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Abstract:

The hero shrew's (Scutisorex somereni) massive interlocking lumbar vertebrae represent the most extreme modification of the vertebral column known in mammals. No intermediate form of this remarkable morphology is known, nor is there any convincing theory to explain its functional significance. We document a new species in the heretofore monotypic genus Scutisorex; the new species possesses cranial and vertebral features representing intermediate character states between S. somereni and other shrews. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences support a sister relationship between the new species and S. somereni. While the function of the unusual spine in Scutisorex is unknown, it gives these small animals incredible vertebral strength. Based on field observations, we hypothesize that the unique vertebral column is an adaptation allowing these shrews to lever heavy or compressive objects to access concentrated food resources inaccessible to other animals.

Awesome pop sci write up over at Running Ponies, but without the snarkiness of old.