GNATHOMANDIBULAR MORPHOLOGY AND CHARACTER DISPLACEMENT IN THE BAT-EARED FOX

Relations in mandibulo-dental size were evaluated in a sample of 74 (4 2 male) bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis). Mesiodistal and buccoling ual dental measurements, together with eight mandibular measurements ( intercondylar distance, intercarnassial breadth, mandibular length, co ndylar height, canine-condylar length, mandibular width, mandibular he ight) were allometrically scaled to total length of the skull. These r esults were then compared with those on domestic dogs and on three sma ll southern-African canids: Vulpes chama, Canis adustus, and Canis mes omelas. I suggest that canine dimorphism in size may not be related to body-size dimorphism. In contrast to previous studies, I show that th e specialized soft diet of the bat-eared fox is not reflected in an in crease of shearing facets of the molars. Indeed, the species is charac terized by robust dentinal development, blunted pulp-horns, and multic uspal molars. Finally, I provide cautious evidence of character displa cement in the trophic apparatus within this southern-African guild of canids.