Mandible in the African rodent Cricetomys gambianus (Waterhouse, 1840) is low sexually dimorphic

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare mandible forms in adult males and females of African giant rat (or Gambian pouched rat) (Cricetomys gambianusWaterhouse, 1840). For this purpose, 9 lateral mandibular landmarks were analysed by means of geometric morphometrics in 12 males and 13 females. Males and females appeared poorly discriminated according to mandible shape analysis, being major differences localized on mental foramen position and on alveolar height at first premolar. This fact suggested to be functionally related to diet preference and pattern of food handling. The results obtained from this research can be useful in rodent ration formulation and captive species management. This is the first time to the best of our knowledge that geometric morphometric comparison of mandible morphology in this African rodent is described.