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Godfrey LR, Shapiro LJ, Wall CE, Wunderlich RE. In memoriam: William Lee Jungers, Jr. J Hum Evol 2024; 189:103515. [PMID: 38422880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2024.103515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Laurie R Godfrey
- Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Liza J Shapiro
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Christine E Wall
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology and Duke Lemur Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA; Department of Anatomy, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY, 11568, USA
| | - Roshna E Wunderlich
- Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA
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2
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Godfrey LR, Muldoon KM. Elwyn Simons: Opening windows into Madagascar's past. Evol Anthropol 2017. [PMID: 28627783 DOI: 10.1002/evan.21518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laurie R Godfrey
- Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003
| | - Kathleen M Muldoon
- Department of Anatomy, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, 19555 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale, AZ, 85308
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Yapuncich GS, Seiffert ER, Boyer DM. Quantification of the position and depth of the flexor hallucis longus groove in euarchontans, with implications for the evolution of primate positional behavior. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2017; 163:367-406. [PMID: 28345775 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE On the talus, the position and depth of the groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon have been used to infer phylogenetic affinities and positional behaviors of fossil primates. This study quantifies aspects of the flexor hallucis longus groove (FHLG) to test if: (1) a lateral FHLG is a derived strepsirrhine feature, (2) a lateral FHLG reflects inverted and abducted foot postures, and (3) a deeper FHLG indicates a larger muscle. METHODS We used linear measurements of microCT-generated models from a sample of euarchontans (n = 378 specimens, 125 species) to quantify FHLG position and depth. Data are analyzed with ANOVA, Ordinary and Phylogenetic Generalized Least Squares, and Bayesian Ancestral State Reconstruction (ASR). RESULTS Extant strepsirrhines, adapiforms, plesiadapiforms, dermopterans, and Ptilocercus exhibit lateral FHLGs. Extant anthropoids, subfossil lemurs, and Tupaia have medial FHLGs. FHLGs of omomyiforms and basal fossil anthropoids are intermediate between those of strepsirrhines and extant anthropoids. FHLG position has few correlations with pedal inversion features. Relative FHLG depth is not significantly correlated with body mass. ASRs support a directional model for FHLG position and a random walk model for FHLG depth. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of lateral FHLGs in many non-euprimates suggests a lateral FHLG is not a derived strepsirrhine feature. The lack of correlations with pedal inversion features suggests a lateral FHLG is not a sufficient indicator of strepsirrhine-like foot postures. Instead, a lateral FHLG may reduce the risk of tendon displacement in abducted foot postures on large diameter supports. A deep FHLG does not indicate a larger muscle, but likely reduces bowstringing during plantarflexion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Yapuncich
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Erik R Seiffert
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Doug M Boyer
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Tattersall I. Elwyn LaVerne Simons (1930-2016). AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aman.12685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Tattersall
- Division of Anthropology; American Museum of Natural History; New York, NY 10024
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Marchi D, Ruff CB, Capobianco A, Rafferty KL, Habib MB, Patel BA. The locomotion ofBabakotia radofilaiinferred from epiphyseal and diaphyseal morphology of the humerus and femur. J Morphol 2016; 277:1199-218. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Marchi
- Department of Biology; University of Pisa; Pisa 56126 Italy
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg WITS 2050 South Africa
| | - Christopher B. Ruff
- Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore Maryland 21111
| | - Alessio Capobianco
- Department of Biology; University of Pisa; Pisa 56126 Italy
- Scuola Normale Superiore; Pisa 56126 Italy
| | - Katherine L. Rafferty
- Department of Orthodontics School of Dentistry; University of Washington; Seattle Washington 98195
| | - Michael B. Habib
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology Keck School of Medicine; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California 90033
| | - Biren A. Patel
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg WITS 2050 South Africa
- Department of Cell and Neurobiology Keck School of Medicine; University of Southern California; Los Angeles California 90033
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Godfrey LR, Granatosky MC, Jungers WL. The Hands of Subfossil Lemurs. DEVELOPMENTS IN PRIMATOLOGY: PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3646-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Marivaux L, Beard KC, Chaimanee Y, Dagosto M, Gebo DL, Guy F, Marandat B, Khaing K, Kyaw AA, Oo M, Sein C, Soe AN, Swe M, Jaeger JJ. Talar morphology, phylogenetic affinities, and locomotor adaptation of a large-bodied amphipithecid primate from the late middle eocene of Myanmar. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2010; 143:208-22. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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8
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Muldoon KM. Paleoenvironment of Ankilitelo Cave (late Holocene, southwestern Madagascar): implications for the extinction of giant lemurs. J Hum Evol 2010; 58:338-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2009] [Revised: 12/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Muldoon KM, de Blieux DD, Simons EL, Chatrath PS. The Subfossil Occurrence and Paleoecological Significance of Small Mammals at Ankilitelo Cave, Southwestern Madagascar. J Mammal 2009. [DOI: 10.1644/08-mamm-a-242.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Dunn RH, Rasmussen DT. Skeletal Morphology of a New Genus of Eocene Insectivore (Mammalia, Erinaceomorpha) from Utah. J Mammal 2009. [DOI: 10.1644/08-mamm-a-084.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Akoma Mintsa R, Berge C, Picard N. Foot morphology and locomotor behaviour of squirrels in Gabon rainforests. C R Biol 2008; 332:43-51. [PMID: 19200925 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2008.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2007] [Revised: 05/14/2008] [Accepted: 08/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Equatorial rain forests of Gabon contain nine species of squirrels that exploit different environments along a vertical gradient from the ground to the forest canopy. This study aims at identifying morphological traits of the hind foot that are related to environment preferences, using seven of the nine species. The morphology of the foot was defined by the coordinates in three dimensions of twenty five landmarks on the foot. These were analysed using Procrustes analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The first axis of the PCA corresponded to a gradient of adaptation to tree-dwelling, in relation to foot morphology. Species living on the ground had a longer, narrower and thinner foot, adapted to horizontal locomotion on the ground. Species with an arboreal habitat had a shorter, wider and thicker foot, adapted to vertical locomotion. The second axis of the PCA could be interpreted in terms of phylogeny.
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Reconstruction of an extraordinary extinct primate from Madagascar. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:10639-40. [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0806111105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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DOYA H, MURATA A, ASANO Y, MORIYA H, YOSHINAGA K. Defining Inversion/Eversion of the Foot : Is it a Triplane Motion or a Coronal Plane Motion? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.2490/jjrmc.44.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hideo DOYA
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Chiba University Hospital
| | - Atsushi MURATA
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Chiba University Hospital
| | - Yumi ASANO
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Chiba University Hospital
| | - Hideshige MORIYA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
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Godfrey LR, Jungers WL, Burney DA, Vasey N, Wheeler W, Lemelin P, Shapiro LJ, Schwartz GT, King SJ, Ramarolahy MF, Raharivony LL, Randria GFN. New discoveries of skeletal elements of Hadropithecus stenognathus from Andrahomana Cave, southeastern Madagascar. J Hum Evol 2006; 51:395-410. [PMID: 16911817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2006] [Accepted: 04/24/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Remains of what appears to be a single, subadult Hadropithecus stenognathus were recovered from a previously unexcavated site at Andrahomana Cave (southeastern Madagascar). Specimens found comprise isolated teeth and cranial fragments (including the frontal processes of the orbits), as well as a partial postcranial skeleton. They include the first associated fore- and hind-limb bones, confirming the hind-limb attributions made by Godfrey and co-workers in 1997, and refuting earlier attributions by Lamberton in 1937/1938. Of particular interest here are the previously unknown elements, including a sacrum, other vertebrae and ribs, some hand bones, and the distal epiphysis of a femur. We briefly discuss the functional implications of previously unknown elements. Hadropithecus displayed a combination of characters reminiscent of lemurids, others more like those of the larger-bodied Old World monkeys, and still others more like those of African apes. Yet other characteristics appear unique. Lemurid-like postcranial characteristics may be primitive for the Archaeolemuridae. Hadropithecus diverges from the Lemuridae in the direction of Archaeolemur, but more extremely so. Thus, for example, it exhibits a stronger reduction in the size of the hamulus of the hamate, greater anteroposterior compression of the femoral shaft, and greater asymmetry of the femoral condyles. Nothing in its postcranial anatomy signals a close relationship to either the Indriidae or the Palaeopropithecidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Godfrey
- Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst MA 01003, USA.
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Jungers WL, Lemelin P, Godfrey LR, Wunderlich RE, Burney DA, Simons EL, Chatrath PS, James HF, Randria GFN. The hands and feet of Archaeolemur: metrical affinities and their functional significance. J Hum Evol 2006; 49:36-55. [PMID: 15989943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2004] [Revised: 03/03/2005] [Accepted: 03/03/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent expeditions to Madagascar have recovered abundant skeletal remains of Archaeolemur, one of the so-called "monkey lemurs" known from Holocene deposits scattered across the island. These new skeletons are sufficiently complete to permit reassembly of entire hands and feet--postcranial elements crucial to drawing inferences about substrate preferences and positional behavior. Univariate and multivariate analysis of intrinsic hand and foot proportions, phalangeal indices, relative pollex and hallux lengths, phalangeal curvature, and distal phalangeal shape reveal a highly derived and unique morphology for an extinct strepsirrhine that diverges dramatically from that of living lemurs and converges in some respects on that of Old World monkeys (e.g., mandrills, but not baboons or geladas). The hands and feet of Archaeolemur are relatively short (extremely so relative to body size); the carpus and tarsus are both "long" relative to total hand and foot lengths, respectively; phalangeal indices of both the hands and feet are low; both pollex and hallux are reduced; the apical tufts of the distal phalanges are very broad; and the proximal phalanges are slightly curved (but more so than in baboons). Overall grasping capabilities may have been compromised to some extent, and dexterous handling of small objects seems improbable. Deliberate and noncursorial quadrupedalism was most likely practiced on both the ground and in the trees. A flexible locomotor repertoire in conjunction with a eurytopic trophic adaptation allowed Archaeolemur to inhabit much of Madagascar and may explain why it was one of the latest surviving subfossil lemurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L Jungers
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8081, USA.
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Shapiro LJ, Seiffert CVM, Godfrey LR, Jungers WL, Simons EL, Randria GFN. Morphometric analysis of lumbar vertebrae in extinct Malagasy strepsirrhines. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2006; 128:823-39. [PMID: 16110476 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Previous research on subfossil lemurs has revealed much about the positional behavior of these extinct strepsirrhines, but a thorough quantitative analysis of their vertebral form and function has not been performed. In this study, 156 lumbar vertebrae of Pachylemur, Archaeolemur, Megaladapis, Mesopropithecus, Babakotia, and Palaeopropithecus (11 species in all) were compared to those of 26 species of extant strepsirrhines and haplorhines. Lumbar shape was compared among species, using a principal components analysis (PCA) in conjunction with selected vertebral indices. The first principal component revealed strong separation between Palaeopropithecus at one extreme, and Archaeolemur/Pachylemur at the other, with Babakotia, Mesopropithecus, and Megaladapis in an intermediate position. Palaeopropithecus has markedly shorter spinous processes and wider laminae than do the other subfossil taxa, consistent with sloth-like, inverted suspensory postures. The moderately reduced lumbar spinous processes of Babakotia, Mesopropithecus, and Megaladapis are convergent with those of lorisids and Pongo, reflecting antipronogrady, but a less specialized adaptation than that of Palaeopropithecus. Archaeolemur and Pachylemur share relatively elongated spinous processes, in conjunction with other features (e.g., transverse process orientation and relatively short vertebral bodies) indicative of pronograde, quadrupedal locomotion characterized by reduced agility. All subfossil taxa exhibit adaptations emphasizing lumbar spinal stability (e.g., relatively short vertebral bodies, and transverse processes that are not oriented ventrally); we believe this probably reflects convergent mechanical demands connected to large body size, irrespective of specific locomotor mode. Reconstructions of positional behavior in subfossil lemurs based on lumbar vertebrae are largely consistent with those based on other aspects of the postcrania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza J Shapiro
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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Schwartz GT, Mahoney P, Godfrey LR, Cuozzo FP, Jungers WL, Randria GFN. Dental development in Megaladapis edwardsi (Primates, Lemuriformes): Implications for understanding life history variation in subfossil lemurs. J Hum Evol 2005; 49:702-21. [PMID: 16256170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2005] [Accepted: 07/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Teeth grow incrementally and preserve within them a record of that incremental growth in the form of microscopic growth lines. Studying dental development in extinct and extant primates, and its relationship to adult brain and body size as well as other life history and ecological parameters (e.g., diet, somatic growth rates, gestation length, age at weaning), holds the potential to yield unparalleled insights into the life history profiles of fossil primates. Here, we address the absolute pace of dental development in Megaladapis edwardsi, a giant extinct lemur of Madagascar. By examining the microstructure of the first and developing second molars in a juvenile individual, we establish a chronology of molar crown development for this specimen (M1 CFT = 1.04 years; M2 CFT = 1.42 years) and determine its age at death (1.39 years). Microstructural data on prenatal M1 crown formation time allow us to calculate a minimum gestation length of 0.54 years for this species. Postnatal crown and root formation data allow us to estimate its age at M1 emergence (approximately 0.9 years) and to establish a minimum age for M2 emergence (>1.39 years). Finally, using reconstructions or estimates (drawn elsewhere) of adult body mass, brain size, and diet in Megaladapis, as well as the eruption sequence of its permanent teeth, we explore the efficacy of these variables in predicting the absolute pace of dental development in this fossil species. We test competing explanations of variation in crown formation timing across the order Primates. Brain size is the best single predictor of crown formation time in primates, but other variables help to explain the variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary T Schwartz
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change & Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
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Karanth KP, Delefosse T, Rakotosamimanana B, Parsons TJ, Yoder AD. Ancient DNA from giant extinct lemurs confirms single origin of Malagasy primates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:5090-5. [PMID: 15784742 PMCID: PMC555979 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0408354102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The living Malagasy lemurs constitute a spectacular radiation of >50 species that are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor that colonized Madagascar in the early Tertiary period. Yet, at least 15 additional Malagasy primate species, some of which were relative giants, succumbed to extinction within the past 2,000 years. Their existence in Madagascar is recorded predominantly in its Holocene subfossil record. To rigorously test the hypothesis that all endemic Malagasy primates constitute a monophyletic group and to determine the evolutionary relationships among living and extinct taxa, we have conducted an ancient DNA analysis of subfossil species. A total of nine subfossil individuals from the extinct genera Palaeopropithecus and Megaladapis yielded amplifiable DNA. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b sequences derived from these subfossils corroborates the monophyly of endemic Malagasy primates. Our results support the close relationship of sloth lemurs to living indriids, as has been hypothesized on morphological grounds. In contrast, Megaladapis does not show a sister-group relationship with the living genus Lepilemur. Thus, the classification of the latter in the family Megaladapidae is misleading. By correlating the geographic location of subfossil specimens with relative amplification success, we reconfirm the global trend of increased success rates of ancient DNA recovery from nontropical localities.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Praveen Karanth
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208105, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Rafferty KL, Teaford MF, Jungers WL. Molar microwear of subfossil lemurs: improving the resolution of dietary inferences. J Hum Evol 2002; 43:645-57. [PMID: 12457853 DOI: 10.1006/jhev.2002.0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study we use molar microwear analyses to examine the trophic distinctions among various taxa of Malagasy subfossil lemurs. High resolution casts of the teeth of Megaladapis, Archaeolemur, Palaeopropithecus, Babakotia, and Hadropithecus were examined under a scanning electron microscope. Megaladapis was undoubtedly a browsing folivore, but there are significant differences between species of this genus. However, dietary specialists appear to be the exception; for example, Palaeopropithecus and Babakotia probably supplemented their leaf-eating with substantial amounts of seed-predation, much like modern indrids. Hadropithecus was decidedly not like the modern gelada baboon, but probably did feed on hard objects. Evidence from microwear and coprolites suggests that Archaeolemur probably had an eclectic diet that differed regionally and perhaps seasonally. Substantial trophic diversity within Madgascar's primate community was diminished by the late Quaternary extinctions of the large-bodied species (>9 kg).
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Rafferty
- Department of Orthodontics, Box 357446, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
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King SJ, Godfrey LR, Simons EL. Adaptive and phylogenetic significance of ontogenetic sequences in Archaeolemur, subfossil lemur from Madagascar. J Hum Evol 2001; 41:545-76. [PMID: 11782109 DOI: 10.1006/jhev.2001.0509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Among the best known of recently extinct Malagasy lemurs is Archaeolemur, which is represented by many hundreds of specimens. The phylogenetic affinities of this taxon are unclear, especially in light of recent preliminary analysis of ancient DNA which does not support its previously accepted close relationship with the living Indridae. We examined the nearly complete skeletons of two adults and one juvenile and other less complete specimens to reconstruct aspects of the ontogeny of Archaeolemur. To compare the development of Archaeolemur to that of living strepsirrhines we collected data on Propithecus verreauxi, Eulemur fulvus, and Lemur catta. Additionally, because Archaeolemur exhibits some morphological convergences with distantly related papionins, we tested for convergence in the developmental patterns of Archaeolemur and Macaca fascicularis. Data include the status of tooth eruption, craniofacial sutural closure, and postcranial epiphyseal fusion, as well as linear measurements. We used discriminant function analysis and other tools to explore ontogenetic similarities and differences. The adaptive and phylogenetic significance of ontogenetic information is discussed. Our analysis shows that Archaeolemur displays a clear strepsirrhine pattern of development with only minor macaque convergences. Among the Strepsirrhini, Archaeolemur is slightly more similar developmentally to E. fulvus and L. catta than to P. verreauxi. Some of the distinctive features of the ontogeny of Archaeolemur may be related to diet, while others bear apparent testimony to a relatively rapid absolute pace of growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J King
- Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9278, USA.
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Abstract
Recently discovered wrist bones of the Malagasy subfossil lemurs Babakotia radofilai, Palaeopropithecus ingens, Mesopropithecus dolichobrachion, and Megaladapis madagascariensis shed new light on the postcranial morphologies and positional behaviors that characterized these extinct primates. Wrist bones of P. ingens resemble those of certain modern hominoids in having a relatively enlarged ulnar head and dorsally extended articular surface on the hamate, features related to a large range of rotation at the inferior radioulnar and midcarpal joints. The scaphoid of P. ingens is also similar to that of the extant tree sloth Choloepus in having an elongate, palmarly directed tubercle forming a deep radial margin of the carpal tunnel for the passage of large digital flexors. In contrast, wrist remains of Megaladapis edwardsi and M. madagascariensis exhibit traits observed in the hands of extant pronograde, arboreal primates; these include a dorsopalmarly expanded pisiform and well-developed "spiral" facet on the hamate. Moreover, Megaladapis spp. and Mesopropithecus dolichobrachion possess bony tubercles (e.g., scaphoid tubercle and hamate hamulus) forming the carpal tunnel that are relatively similar in length to those of modern pronograde lemurs. Babakotia and Mesopropithecus differ from Megaladapis in exhibiting features of the midcarpal joint related to frequent supination and radioulnar deviation of the hand characteristic of animals that use vertical and quadrumanous climbing in their foraging behaviors. Comparative analysis of subfossil lemur wrist morphology complements and expands upon prior inferences based on other regions of the postcranial skeleton, and suggests a considerable degree of locomotor and postural heterogeneity among these recently extinct primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Hamrick
- Department of Anthropology & Division of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
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Godfrey LR, Jungers WL, Wunderlich RE, Richmond BG. Reappraisal of the postcranium of Hadropithecus (Primates, Indroidea). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 1997; 103:529-56. [PMID: 9292169 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(199708)103:4<529::aid-ajpa9>3.0.co;2-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hadropithecus stenognathus (Lorenz von Liburnau [1899] Anz. Akad. Wiss. Wien 36:255-257), a giant extinct lemur from Madagascar, has been reconstructed as primarily terrestrial and probably cursorial on the basis of its postcranial anatomy, especially long bone gracility and interlimb proportions. We show here that aspects of this reconstruction are almost certainly incorrect. Hindlimb bones of Archaeolemur have been misattributed to Hadropithecus, and new hindlimb allocations (including newly recognized elements such as the calcaneus) indicate that Hadropithecus had a robust body build and lacked osteological specializations for cursoriality. We review the evidence for the existence of "Bradylemur" and offer a view of archaeolemurid positional behavior that includes terrestrial and arboreal components. Body size and limb proportions of Hadropithecus are reassessed in light of our new allocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Godfrey
- Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
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