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September 18, 2025Paleobiology

Morphological diversity of the cetacean mandibular symphysis coincides with novel modes of aquatic feeding

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Authors

RSRebecca J. StrauchJBJacob S. BervDFDanielle Fraser

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Overview

Phylogenetic analysis reveals how feeding modes influence mandibular symphyseal morphology in cetaceans, suggesting evolutionary adaptations.

Key Points

  • Symphyseal morphology in cetaceans evolved significantly, showing adaptation to different feeding strategies.
  • Ancestral state reconstructions indicate a fused symphysis was common in early cetaceans, shifting with oceanic changes.
  • High evolutionary rates for mandibular features were observed during the Eocene, marking significant ecological adaptations.
  • Correlations between ecological variables and dentition suggest a strong influence of feeding behavior on morphology.

Cite This Study

Strauch et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68d462c131b076d99fa61d15https://doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10061
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