Paw Morphology in the Domestic Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) and Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus).

This study investigated adaptations in paw morphology in the domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). We predicted that rat paws would display adaptations associated with paw dexterity for handling prey items and climbing; whereas guinea pig paws would support mechanical pressure absorption for a herbivorous, sedentary and terrestrial lifestyle. Using histology techniques and scanning electron microscope, we show that rat paws have many small, deformable pads that are relatively spaced out to enable movement. The pads are clustered towards the anterior of the foot, which coincides with where the most force occurs during locomotion, as rats walk on their toes and towards the front of their paw. Guinea pigs had fewer and larger pads and the posterior pad of the forepaw was textured and contained cartilage, which may act to reduce friction and compression during standing and locomotion. We suggest that differences in paw morphology in rat and guinea pig are associated with loading during locomotion as well as paw mobility. Examining paw morphology and movement abilities in more species will give further insights in to the evolution of locomotor adaptations and paw dexterity in rodents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. PMID: 31569305 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Anatomical Record - Category: Anatomy Authors: Tags: Anat Rec (Hoboken) Source Type: research