Variation and covariation of external shape and cross-sectional geometry in the human metacarpus.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Analyses of external bone shape using geometric morphometrics (GM) and cross-sectional geometry (CSG) are frequently employed to investigate bone structural variation and reconstruct activity in the past. However, the association between these methods has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we analyze whole bone shape and CSG variation of metacarpals 1-5 and test covariation between them.

Materials and methods

We analyzed external metacarpal shape using GM and CSG of the diaphysis at three locations in metacarpals 1-5. The study sample includes three modern human groups: crew from the shipwrecked Mary Rose (n = 35 metacarpals), a Pre-industrial group (n = 50), and a Post-industrial group (n = 31). We tested group differences in metacarpal shape and CSG, as wel

SUBMITTER: Tanner SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10952563 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature