Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids
Size and shape of the mammalian proximal femur and taxon-specific distinctions in the relative proportions of the proximal articulation, the femoral neck and the proximal femoral diaphysis, are critical determinants in its adaptation to differential biomechanical stresses and observed locomotor habi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Academy of Science of South Africa
2015-09-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3769 |
| _version_ | 1818344820545945600 |
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| author | Andrew Gallagher |
| author_facet | Andrew Gallagher |
| author_sort | Andrew Gallagher |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Size and shape of the mammalian proximal femur and taxon-specific distinctions in the relative proportions of the proximal articulation, the femoral neck and the proximal femoral diaphysis, are critical determinants in its adaptation to differential biomechanical stresses and observed locomotor habitus in different taxa. The morphometrics of the proximal femur are considered equally critical in the assessment of locomotor habitus of extinct fossil mammals, particularly extinct Miocene anthropoids and Plio-Pleistocene hominins. Analyses of size and shape of k=10 dimensions of the proximal femur were undertaken for a large sample series of two extant mammal families – the Felidae and Hominidae – using conventional multivariate statistical procedures, commonly used size-correction methods, and post-hoc tests of significance. While significant differences in form do exist, there are equally striking convergences in the functional morphology of extant hominid and felid taxa. Multivariate and bivariate allometric analyses confirm that the proximal femur of these two mammalian families share a common underlying structure manifest in a shared first common principal component. Nevertheless, while considerable convergences in general form of the proximal femur of African hominids and large-bodied felids are apparent, there exist equally discreet distinctions which are consistent with the differential structural demands imposed by their distinct locomotor and behavioural habitus. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T16:52:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0d25489007064fa68442a04fddfa60b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T16:52:33Z |
| publishDate | 2015-09-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-0d25489007064fa68442a04fddfa60b32022-12-21T23:38:00ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892015-09-011119/10111110.17159/sajs.2015/201402423769Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felidsAndrew Gallagher0Centre for Anthropological Research (CfAR), University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaSize and shape of the mammalian proximal femur and taxon-specific distinctions in the relative proportions of the proximal articulation, the femoral neck and the proximal femoral diaphysis, are critical determinants in its adaptation to differential biomechanical stresses and observed locomotor habitus in different taxa. The morphometrics of the proximal femur are considered equally critical in the assessment of locomotor habitus of extinct fossil mammals, particularly extinct Miocene anthropoids and Plio-Pleistocene hominins. Analyses of size and shape of k=10 dimensions of the proximal femur were undertaken for a large sample series of two extant mammal families – the Felidae and Hominidae – using conventional multivariate statistical procedures, commonly used size-correction methods, and post-hoc tests of significance. While significant differences in form do exist, there are equally striking convergences in the functional morphology of extant hominid and felid taxa. Multivariate and bivariate allometric analyses confirm that the proximal femur of these two mammalian families share a common underlying structure manifest in a shared first common principal component. Nevertheless, while considerable convergences in general form of the proximal femur of African hominids and large-bodied felids are apparent, there exist equally discreet distinctions which are consistent with the differential structural demands imposed by their distinct locomotor and behavioural habitus.https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3769size and shapeproximal femoral morphologybiomechanics |
| spellingShingle | Andrew Gallagher Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids South African Journal of Science size and shape proximal femoral morphology biomechanics |
| title | Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids |
| title_full | Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids |
| title_fullStr | Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids |
| title_short | Comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of African hominids and felids |
| title_sort | comparative morphometric analysis of the proximal femur of african hominids and felids |
| topic | size and shape proximal femoral morphology biomechanics |
| url | https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3769 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andrewgallagher comparativemorphometricanalysisoftheproximalfemurofafricanhominidsandfelids |