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CELLULAR PATTERNS OF BAT (CAROLLIA) FORELIMB SKELETOGENESIS AND THEIR BIOMECHANICAL CONSEQUENCES
Author(s) -
Cooper Lisa Noelle,
Jast John,
Behringer Richard,
Rasweiler John J,
Sears Karen E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.339.7
Subject(s) - biology , ossification , anatomy , intramembranous ossification , medullary cavity , osteology , humerus , diaphysis , rodent , ulna , forelimb , femur , ecology , paleontology
To achieve powered flight, bats altered the architecture of their long bones by reducing mineral concentrations and altering cross‐sectional geometries. This study quantifies differences in adult bone architecture of the short‐tailed bat ( Carollia ) relative to terrestrial rodents (Mus , Peromyscus ). By integrating nanoindentation tests with whole bone bending tests, and visualization of cross‐sectional areas, this study documents architectural differences in limb bones of aerial and terrestrial mammals. Nanoindentation tests revealed that metacarpals of bats are 40% as stiff and 36% as hard as that of rodents. Whole bone bending tests revealed that the bat and mouse humerus are roughly equivalent in stiffness, however the bat radius was much more compliant, suggesting a decreased mineral content. Micro‐CT scans showed that the humeral, femoral, and tibial cross‐sectional geometries are equivalent in both bats and mice; however, distal bones of the bat displayed 8–40% larger medullary cavities compared rodents. In comparing rates of long bone ossification, bats delays appositional ossification relative to mice, but begins diaphyseal longitudinal growth earlier. At late fetal stages, bats rapidly elongate the diaphysis. These findings further our understanding of the microstructural properties of chiropteran bone biology.