A 3D geometric morphometric analysis of the bovid distal humerus, with special reference to Rusingoryx atopocranion (Pleistocene, Eastern Africa).

ABSTRACT: The family Bovidae [Mammalia: Artiodactyla] is speciose and has extant representatives on every continent, forming key components of mammal communities. For these reasons, bovids are ideal candidates for studies of ecomorphology. In particular, the morphology of the bovid humerus has been identified as highly related to functional variables such as body mass and habitat. This study investigates the functional morphology of the bovid distal humerus in isolation due to its increased likelihood of preservation in the fossil record, and the resulting opportunity for a better understanding of the ecomorphology of extinct bovids. A landmark scheme of 30 landmarks was used to capture the 3D distal humerus morphology in 111 extant bovid specimens. We find that the distal humerus has identifiable m

SUBMITTER: Anderson SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11306763 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature