Functional and developmental influences on intraspecific variation in catarrhine vertebrae

DiscussionPatterns of variation across morphological features may reflect the complex interaction of functional constraints, developmental timing, and/or variable biomechanical forces.Pongo's elevated variation in spinous process length suggests a release from functional constraint, consistent with its suspensory locomotion and reduced spinous processes. Interspecific differences in vertebral variation based on locomotor demand or posture are generally consistent with patterns previously reported for vertebral formula and other aspects of morphology. Future research would benefit from an expanded taxonomic sample and more detailed analyses of vertebral modularity and developmental timing.

Source: American Journal of Physical Anthropology - November 8, 2018 Category: Physiology Authors: Liza J. Shapiro, Addison D. Kemp Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research