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Ontogenetic and morphological variation in primate long bones reflect signals of size and behavior

Nadell, J.; Elton, S.; Kovarovic, K.

Ontogenetic and morphological variation in primate long bones reflect signals of size and behavior Thumbnail


Authors

J. Nadell



Abstract

Objectives Many primates change their locomotor behavior as they mature from infancy to adulthood. Here we investigate how long bone cross‐sectional geometry in Pan, Gorilla, Pongo, Hylobatidae, and Macaca varies in shape and form over ontogeny, including whether specific diaphyseal cross sections exhibit signals of periosteal adaptation or canalization. Materials and methods Diaphyseal cross sections were analyzed in an ontogenetic series across infant, juvenile, and adult subgroups. Three‐dimensional laser‐scanned long bone models were sectioned at midshaft (50% of biomechanical length) and distally (20%) along the humerus and femur. Traditional axis ratios acted as indices of cross‐sectional circularity, while geometric morphometric techniques were used to study cross‐sectional allometry and ontogenetic trajectory. Results The humeral midshaft is a strong indicator of posture and locomotor profile in the sample across development, while the mid‐femur appears more reflective of shifts in size. By comparison, the distal diaphyses of both limb elements are more ontogenetically constrained, where periosteal shape is largely static across development relative to size, irrespective of a given taxon's behavior or ecology. Discussion Primate limb shape is not only highly variable between taxa over development, but at discrete humeral and femoral diaphyseal locations. Overall, periosteal shape of the humeral and femoral midshaft cross sections closely reflects ontogenetic transitions in behavior and size, respectively, while distal shape in both bones appears more genetically constrained across intraspecific development, regardless of posture or size. These findings support prior research on tradeoffs between function and safety along the limbs.

Citation

Nadell, J., Elton, S., & Kovarovic, K. (2021). Ontogenetic and morphological variation in primate long bones reflect signals of size and behavior. American journal of physical anthropology, 174(2), 327-351. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24198

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 19, 2020
Online Publication Date Dec 24, 2020
Publication Date 2021-02
Deposit Date Dec 4, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Print ISSN 0002-9483
Electronic ISSN 1096-8644
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 174
Issue 2
Pages 327-351
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24198

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Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Nadell, J., Elton, S. & Kovarovic, K. (2020). Ontogenetic and morphological variation in primate long bones reflect signals of size and behavior. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 174(2): 327-351., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24198. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.





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