How to study adaptation (and why to do it that way)
Some adaptationist explanations are regarded as maximally solid and others fanciful just-so
stories. Just-so stories are explanations based on very little evidence. Lack of evidence …
stories. Just-so stories are explanations based on very little evidence. Lack of evidence …
A quantitative method for inferring locomotory shifts in amniotes during ontogeny, its application to dinosaurs and its bearing on the evolution of posture
Evolutionary transitions between quadrupedal and bipedal postures are pivotal to the
diversification of amniotes on land, including in our own lineage (Hominini). Heterochrony is …
diversification of amniotes on land, including in our own lineage (Hominini). Heterochrony is …
The complete skeleton of a straight-tusked elephant calf from Cova del Rinoceront (Late Pleistocene, NE Iberian Peninsula): New insights into ontogenetic growth in …
A nearly complete skeleton of an elephant calf was excavated between 2012 and 2014 from
breccia deposits in a vertical karstic cavity named Cova del Rinoceront, exposed during …
breccia deposits in a vertical karstic cavity named Cova del Rinoceront, exposed during …
Letting the 'cat'out of the bag: pouch young development of the extinct Tasmanian tiger revealed by X-ray computed tomography
The Tasmanian tiger or thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) was an iconic Australian
marsupial predator that was hunted to extinction in the early 1900s. Despite sharing striking …
marsupial predator that was hunted to extinction in the early 1900s. Despite sharing striking …
Postnatal ontogeny of limb proportions and functional indices in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae)
Burrow construction in the subterranean Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae)
primarily occurs by scratch‐digging. In this study, we compared the limbs of an ontogenetic …
primarily occurs by scratch‐digging. In this study, we compared the limbs of an ontogenetic …
Shape variation in the limb long bones of modern elephants reveals adaptations to body mass and habitat
During evolution, several vertebrate lineages have shown trends towards an increase in
mass. Such a trend is associated with physiological and musculoskeletal changes …
mass. Such a trend is associated with physiological and musculoskeletal changes …
Allometric growth of limb and body proportions in crocodylians
Crocodylia is the sole extant remnant of quadrupedal archosaurs playing a pivotal role in
understanding the evolution of growth allometry in the archosaur locomotor apparatus …
understanding the evolution of growth allometry in the archosaur locomotor apparatus …
Functional indices and postnatal ontogeny of long bones of the forelimb in the sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae)
The adaptations for a particular locomotor type (eg, fossorial or saltatorial) could affect limb
bone morphology throughout ontogeny. We explore how the measurements of the forelimbs …
bone morphology throughout ontogeny. We explore how the measurements of the forelimbs …
Diversity of limb long bone morphology among proboscideans: how to be the biggest one in the family
From its first small representatives to its later giant species, the Order Proboscidea evolved
increasingly large forms. Limb long bones are heavily affected by shifts in body mass, and …
increasingly large forms. Limb long bones are heavily affected by shifts in body mass, and …
Scaling of the appendicular skeleton of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
S van Sittert, J Skinner, G Mitchell - Journal of morphology, 2015 - Wiley Online Library
Giraffes have remarkably long and slender limb bones, but it is unknown how they grow with
regard to body mass, sex, and neck length. In this study, we measured the length …
regard to body mass, sex, and neck length. In this study, we measured the length …