A three-dimensional analysis of morphological evolution and locomotor performance of the carnivoran forelimb.

ABSTRACT: In this study, three-dimensional landmark-based methods of geometric morphometrics are used for estimating the influence of phylogeny, allometry and locomotor performance on forelimb shape in living and extinct carnivorans (Mammalia, Carnivora). The main objective is to investigate morphological convergences towards similar locomotor strategies in the shape of the major forelimb bones. Results indicate that both size and phylogeny have strong effects on the anatomy of all forelimb bones. In contrast, bone shape does not correlate in the living taxa with maximum running speed or daily movement distance, two proxies closely related to locomotor performance. A phylomorphospace approach showed that shape variation in forelimb bones mainly relates to changes in bone robustness. This indicates t

SUBMITTER: Martin-Serra A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3893248 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature