This paper investigates the potential of mesoscale tooth wear (mesowear, chipping, facets, and other wear attributes) in rodents as a proxy for Arctic habitat. It presents a pilot study of narrow-headed voles, Microtus gregalis, at three sites along a latitudinal gradient of ecological subzones in the Yamal Peninsula of the Russian Arctic. These sites include Kharp in the forest–tundra ecotone, Erkuta in the low Arctic, and Sabetta at the border between the low and the high Arctic. A total of 117 specimens were included and eight variables were used to characterize mesoscale tooth wear. Results show significant differences between the sites, suggesting that these variables can distinguish populations from different subzones. Kharp has the flattest tooth wear, whereas Sabetta has the most M1 occlusal relief and dentin exposure. These results are consistent with and interpreted in the light of published experimental work on captive voles. In addition, the Kharp sample has the tallest M1 crowns, whereas Sabetta has the most vertically implanted M1s. The general directional trends toward separation of values by latitude of samples suggests that mesoscale wear in hypselodont rodents (those with open-rooted, ever-growing molar teeth) reflects variation in food abrasivity and, by extension, may be valuable for tracking habitat and ecological changes in the Arctic.

中文翻译：

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评估窄头田鼠的臼齿磨损作为变化的北极地区饮食和栖息地的代表

本文研究了啮齿类动物中尺度牙齿磨损（中尺度磨损、碎裂、小面和其他磨损属性）的潜力，作为北极栖息地的代表。它介绍了在俄罗斯北极亚马尔半岛沿生态亚带纬度梯度的三个地点对窄头田鼠（Microtus gregalis）进行的试点研究。这些地点包括森林-苔原交错带的 Kharp、低北极的 Erkuta 和低北极和高北极边界的 Sabetta。总共包括 117 个样本，并使用八个变量来表征中尺度牙齿磨损。结果显示站点之间存在显着差异，表明这些变量可以区分来自不同亚区的种群。Kharp 的牙齿磨损最平坦，而 Sabetta 的 M1 咬合缓解和牙本质暴露最多。这些结果与已发表的圈养田鼠实验工作一致并根据这些结果进行解释。此外，Kharp 样本具有最高的 M1 牙冠，而 Sabetta 具有最垂直植入的 M1。按样本纬度分离值的一般方向趋势表明，hypselodont 啮齿动物（具有开根、不断增长的臼齿的啮齿动物）的中尺度磨损反映了食物磨蚀性的变化，进而可能对追踪栖息地和生态系统有价值。北极的变化。