Ecomorphological variation in artiodactyl calcanei using 3D geometric morphometrics

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Comparative Anatomy
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Artiodactyl postcrania are valuable paleoecological indicators, but studies are often family-specific.
• Analyzing multiple artiodactyl families can reveal broader ecological trends.
• The calcaneus (heel bone) is a key element in artiodactyl locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate common ecological trends in calcaneal morphology across five artiodactyl families.
• To apply 3D geometric morphometrics to a comparative analysis of calcanei.
• To assess the calcaneus as a potential indicator of ecology in fossil artiodactyls.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 3D geometric morphometrics to analyze calcaneal morphology.
• Examined calcanei from Antilocapridae, Bovidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae, and Tragulidae.
• Employed principal component analysis to identify ecological trends.

Main Results:

• Identified convergent evolution of cursorial (running) morphology in antilocaprids and some bovids.
• Observed independent evolution of less cursorial morphology in other bovids, resembling cervids.
• Demonstrated parallel ecomorphological trends within and across multiple artiodactyl families.

Conclusions:

• The calcaneus exhibits parallel ecomorphological trends across diverse artiodactyl families.
• Calcaneal morphology is a reliable indicator of ecology and function.
• This approach is applicable to taxonomically ambiguous or extinct artiodactyl groups.