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Quantifying morphological adaptations using direct measurements: The carnivoran appendicular skeleton as a case

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Locomotor adaptations in carnivoran limb bones are influenced by size and evolutionary history. Size-corrected analysis reveals true adaptations, suggesting specialized locomotion minimizes costs.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Locomotor adaptations in extinct and extant fauna are crucial for understanding evolutionary pressures.
  • Previous studies on limb bone morphology and locomotion have faced challenges in controlling for size and phylogenetic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the detectability of locomotor adaptations in carnivoran limb bones using a univariate approach.
  • To assess the impact of body size and evolutionary history on limb bone morphology.
  • To validate classical findings on locomotor adaptations in carnivoran evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 43 limb bone measurements (scapula, long bones, calcaneus) from 435 specimens across 143 carnivoran species.
  • Statistical examination of factors influencing limb bone morphology, including size, taxonomic group, and locomotor habit.
  • Application of size-corrected and phylogenetic analyses to disentangle adaptive signals from allometric and evolutionary constraints.

Main Results:

  • Body size was identified as the primary factor influencing limb bone morphology.
  • Size-corrected analyses revealed significant differences in limb bone morphology related to locomotor type, which were obscured in raw data.
  • Phylogenetic effects became apparent only after accounting for size, indicating strong covariation between size and evolutionary history.
  • Locomotor type was a stronger predictor of limb bone morphology than utilized habitat, supporting specialization for locomotion.

Conclusions:

  • Carnivoran limb bone morphology is significantly shaped by body size and evolutionary history.
  • Size-corrected analyses are essential for accurately identifying locomotor adaptations.
  • Carnivorans exhibit specialized limb bone morphologies linked to their locomotor types, optimizing for reduced locomotion costs.
  • The study supports a "viverrid-like" ancestor for forest-dwelling carnivorans.