Morfologia funcional e desenho corporal da cintura pélvica e membros posteriores dos Tamanduás (Mammalia : Xenarthra : Myrmecophagidae)

Abstract

Among mammals, xenarthrans are certainly a very singular group with respect to its morphology, physiology, and feeding and locomotory habits. Within the order Xenarthra, the family Myrmecophagidae has received little attention in papers on functional morphology and biomechanics, especially concerning the hindlimbs. In order to contribute to the biological knowledge on the morphofunctional and biomechanical natures of the hindlimbs (femur and tibia) and peivic girdie in these animais [genera: Cyclopes (silky anteater), Tamandua (lesser anteater) and Myrmecophaga (giant anteater)], this paper aims at a comparative and descriptive osteological study of those structures, emphasizing the main points reflecting biomechanical functionality related to locomotory habits. In addition to osteological descriptions, 23 post-cranial measurements for the pelvic girdle, femur, tibia, humerus, and radius were taken. From those measurements, thirteen osteometric indexes were obtained and proved effective in the morphofunctional characterization of the three genera, biomechanically separating them according to their respective locomotory styles.