关键词: 棕色田鼠, 甘肃鼢鼠, 咀嚼肌, 结构, 功能

Abstract: The anatomy of the masticatory apparatus, movement pattern of mandible and masticatory efficiencies of cheek teeth row during mastication are compared between mandarin vole (Microtus manadarinus) and the common Chinese zokor (Myospalax cansus) to better understand the adaptive mechanism of the two underground rodents. The analysis is based on biomechanical principles as well as quantitative comparisons between thetwo species. The results indicated that the mandibles of both species can freely move forth and back during mastication，suitable to grinding plant fibres, correspondingly，the skull has developed a series of characters to facilitate this movement pattern，such as parallel cheek teethrows，groove-like glenoid fossa and curved occlusal plane of cheek teeth row. Masticatory efficiencies of incisors and molars in both species are almost equal to each other，implying a very similar feeding habit between them.

Key words: Mandarin vole(Microtus mandarinus), Common Chinese zokor(Myospalax cansus), Masticatory apparatus, Function Structure