Characterizing ecomorphological patterns in hyenids: a multivariate approach using postcanine dentition.

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Comparative Anatomy

Background:

• The family Hyaenidae exhibits diverse ecological roles and evolutionary trajectories.
• Understanding dental morphology provides insights into the feeding ecology and adaptations of extinct and extant species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the multivariate patterns of lower and upper cheek dentition in Hyaenidae throughout their evolutionary history.
• To identify how dental morphology reflects adaptive strategies, such as hunting versus scavenging.

Main Methods:

• Collected 11,698 individual measurements of post-canine tooth lengths and widths for 54 extinct and 3 extant hyena species.
• Utilized principal component analyses (PCAs) to analyze the multivariate dental data.

Main Results:

• Lower cheek dentition better reflects functional aspects due to mosaic evolution.
• The first three principal components reveal distinct adaptive strategies.
• The third principal component effectively separates hunting species from scavengers, with *Parahyaena brunnea* and *Hyaena hyaena* showing extreme scavenging specialization.

Conclusions:

• Cheek tooth morphology, particularly in the lower jaw, is a reliable indicator of adaptive strategies within Hyaenidae.
• Dental analysis supports the differentiation of hyena ecomorphs and feeding behaviors, including specialized scavenging.