Response to the comments on 'dental homologies and evolutionary transformations in Caviomorpha (Hystricognathi, Rodentia): new data from the Paleogene of Peruvian Amazonia'

Abstract

We offer brief commentaries on Boivin and Marivaux's account of caviomorph molar morphology and evolution. In accordance with Van Valen’s statement ‘Homology is resemblance caused by a continuity of information’, we reaffirm that understanding the dental morphology of rodents should be focused on identifying, i.e. keeping in sight, a given structure undergoing multiple transformation processes in ontogeny and phylogeny. Many of these evolutionary pathways may be tracked with reasonable confidence and can provide keys to recognize widespread patterns.