Quantifying the cribriform plate: influences of allometry, function, and phylogeny in Carnivora

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Comparative Anatomy
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The cribriform plate (CP) is a key fossil remnant of mammalian olfactory anatomy.
• Previous studies suggest CP surface area correlates with olfactory capacity.
• Novel digital methods are needed to quantify CP morphology non-destructively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply novel digital methods for quantifying CP morphology.
• To investigate the relationship between CP morphology and olfactory capacity in Carnivora.
• To assess the utility of CP metrics as proxies for olfactory function.

Main Methods:

• CT scanning and 3-D imaging software were used to analyze 42 species of Carnivora.
• Quantified cribriform plate surface area (CPSA) and cumulative foramina area (FXSA).
• Compared CP metrics with skull length, habitat (aquatic vs. terrestrial), and ethmoturbinal surface area.

Main Results:

• CPSA and FXSA showed negative allometry with skull length.
• Aquatic species had reduced CPSA and FXSA compared to terrestrial species.
• CPSA and FXSA strongly correlated with ethmoturbinal surface area, a known olfactory correlate.

Conclusions:

• CPSA and FXSA are reliable osteological proxies for olfactory ability in mammals.
• These metrics are particularly valuable for studying fossil specimens lacking preserved turbinals.
• CPSA may be preferred due to its ease of measurement compared to FXSA.