A cinefluorographical study of incisor sharpening in Spalax giganteus Nehring, 1898 (Rodentia, Mammalia)

Spalax giganteus is a subterranean rodent which uses its incisors to burrow . Like all rodents, these teeth have continuous growth and must be worn dow n by continuous rubbing against one another. This phenomena prevents the te eth from blunt and allows the burrowing rodent to maintain a sharp-edged to ol for digging. Incisor sharpening has been studied in S. giganteus using c inefluorography. We describe three types of sharpening which are cyclical a nd can be divided into two phases, elevation and lowering. Orae of them is more complex implying simultaneous lowering of the upper incisors and protr action of the mandible. The musculoskeletal system involved in this task is described briefly, and the action of some muscles inferred.