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Functional differentiation of long bones in lorises.

B Demes¹, W L Jungers

¹Ruhr-Universität Bochum, FRG.

Folia Primatologica; International Journal of Primatology

|January 1, 1989

Summary

The limb bone strength of lorises (Loris tardigradus) and slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang) differs more than expected from normal movement. Nycticebus bones are stronger, suggesting adaptation to high-impact stresses.

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Area of Science:

Comparative biomechanics
Primate paleontology
Skeletal morphology

Background:

Understanding limb bone adaptations in primates is crucial for reconstructing locomotor behaviors.
Lorises exhibit unique quadrupedal locomotion with low forces and high joint mobility.
Previous studies suggest differences in skeletal robustness between lorisine species.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the external dimensions and midshaft cross-sectional geometry of limb bones in Loris tardigradus and Nycticebus coucang.
To analyze how bone shape relates to locomotor stresses and functional demands in these species.
To investigate the skeletal adaptations for locomotion in lorisine primates.

Main Methods:

Measurement of external limb bone dimensions and midshaft cross-sectional geometry.
Calculation of relative cortical thickness, cortical area, and second moment of area.
Comparison of bone strength metrics with estimated locomotor stresses.

Main Results:

Significant differences in bone shape-related strength between smaller (L. tardigradus) and larger-bodied (N. coucang) species.
N. coucang exhibits a higher overall safety margin, indicating adaptation to infrequent, high-magnitude stresses.
Lorisine long bones are generally less rigid than other primates, lacking preferential bending strength planes.

Conclusions:

Limb bone morphology in lorises is adapted to their unique, low-force locomotion, with N. coucang showing adaptations for higher impact events.
The findings highlight the relationship between skeletal shape, locomotor stresses, and functional demands in primates.
Bone dimensions and geometry provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations of primate locomotion.

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