Comparative limb proportions reveal differential locomotor morphofunctions of alligatoroids and crocodyloids.

ABSTRACT: Although two major clades of crocodylians (Alligatoroidea and Crocodyloidea) were split during the Cretaceous period, relatively few morphological and functional differences between them have been known. In addition, interaction of multiple morphofunctional systems that differentiated their ecology has barely been assessed. In this study, we examined the limb proportions of crocodylians to infer the differences of locomotor functions between alligatoroids and crocodyloids, and tested the correlation of locomotor and feeding morphofunctions. Our analyses revealed crocodyloids including Gavialis have longer stylopodia (humerus and femur) than alligatoroids, indicating that two groups may differ in locomotor functions. Fossil evidence suggested that alligatoroids have retained short st

SUBMITTER: Iijima M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5882705 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature