title: A new hero emerges: another exceptional mammalian spine and its potential adaptive significance.
abstract: The hero shrew's (Scutisorex somereni) massive interlocking lumbar vertebrae represent the most extreme modification of the vertebral column known in mammals. No intermediate form of this remarkable morphology is known, nor is there any convincing theory to explain its functional significance. We document a new species in the heretofore monotypic genus Scutisorex; the new species possesses cranial and vertebral features representing intermediate character states between S. somereni and other shrews. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences support a sister relationship between the new species and S. somereni. While the function of the unusual spine in Scutisorex is unknown, it gives these small animals incredible vertebral strength. Based on field observations, we hypothesize that the unique vertebral column is an adaptation allowing these shrews to lever heavy or compressive objects to access concentrated food resources inaccessible to other animals.
authors.affiliation: Science and Education, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA. bstanley@fieldmuseum.org
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Lynn W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Malekani
authors.forename: Sylvestre Gambalemoke
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Mbalitini
authors.forename: Dudu Akaibe
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Migurimu
authors.forename: Jean Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mukinzi
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hulselmans
authors.forename: Vanya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prévot
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verheyen
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hutterer
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Doty
authors.forename: Benjamin P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.forename: Yoshinori J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Braden
authors.forename: Darin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Julian C Kerbis
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Peterhans
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Jacob A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Esselstyn
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D010802:Phylogeny; D012788:Shrews; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Scutisorex; functional significance; hero shrew; new species; vertebral column