«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «BIOLOGIYA. ECOLOGIYA»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «BIOLOGY. ECOLOGY»
ISSN 2073-3372 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Biology. Ecology». 2017. Vol. 21

Age-Related Variability of Molars of the Red Voles (Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas, 1779) (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in the Northern Forest-Steppe of Tyumen Region

Author(s)
N. V. Sorokina, K. U. Korpich, A. S. Motorina
Abstract
The dimensional characteristics and morphotypic variability of the molars of the red voles, inhabiting the northern forest-steppe of the Tyumen region, are studied. It is shown that the dimensions of individual teeth are subject to age-related variability. Comparison of the dimensional characteristics of the molars of the red voles of the 3rd and 4th age groups revealed a reverse trend: a significant decrease in the width of M2, length and width of M3, length and width of M3, with p < 0,01. Probably, such a reduction in the size of the teeth indicates the abrasion of the teeth in the fourth age group. In young animals, this is associated with growth processes, and in adults – with abrasion of teeth, except for lengths M1 and M1, which are characterized by continued growth. The structure of the masticatory surface of the M3 tooth of the red voles is simplified with age as the tooth is rubbed. For the M1 tooth, no age variability was detected.
Keywords
age variability, variability of molar masticatory surface, red voles, Tyumen region
UDC
591.526.599

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