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Limb bone robusticity is coupled with mass distribution in terrestrial tetrapods
Matthew Dempsey1,2, Kai Allison3, Samuel R R Cross1
1Department of Musculoskeletal & Ageing Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Royal Society Open Science
|September 11, 2025
Summary
Vertebrate evolution shows that body shape changes affect limb bone strength. As the center of mass shifts, limb bones adapt, revealing insights into tetrapod body plan evolution.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Comparative anatomy
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Vertebrate bodies are modular, allowing adaptation across scales.
- Locomotor ecology influences body shape and limb loading.
- The link between body shape, limb loading, and bone morphology is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body shape, limb loading, and limb bone morphology.
- To test if changes in center of mass correlate with limb bone robusticity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a diverse tetrapod sample.
- Measurement of whole-body relative anteroposterior center of mass.
- Assessment of humeral and femoral shaft robusticity.
Main Results:
- A significant positive relationship exists between center of mass and humeral shaft robusticity relative to the femoral shaft.
- Increased robusticity of the humerus occurs as the center of mass shifts anteriorly.
- The extent and orientation of robusticity vary across tetrapod clades due to postural differences.
Conclusions:
- Osteological adaptations are linked to mass distribution and limb posture.
- This study provides a framework for predicting center of mass in fossil tetrapods.
- Enables macroevolutionary studies of tetrapod body plans and center of mass.
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