carnivora_indices: Skeletal indices across species of carnivores

In ryanraaum/qmdata: Datasets for Quantitative Methods for Biological Anthropology Course

Description

A set of skeletal indices related to functional outcomes from a study examining sexual selection in carnivores. See also carnivora_info.

Usage

carnivora_indices

Format

A data frame (tibble) with 701 rows and 17 variables:

family

character, taxonomic family

species

character, binomial species name

sex

factor, female or male

geometric_mean

numeric, body size proxy

skull_shape_index

numeric, "Skull width relative to total length (Skull width/Skull length). Indicates relative ability to generate bite force, given that a wider skull is associated with larger jaw-closing muscles and/or a shorter skull (i.e., shorter snout) increases the mechanical advantage of the jaw-closing muscles"

occipital_width_index

numeric, "Occipital width relative to length of second cervical vertebra (Occipital width/C2 length). Indicates relative size of cervical neck musculature."

atlas_width_index

numeric, "Atlas width relative to length of second cervical vertebra (Atlas width/C2 length). Indicates relative surface area for attachment of cervical neck musculature."

scapula_area_index

numeric, "Surface area of lateral aspect of scapula relative to scapula length ((!Scapula area)/Scapula length). Indicates relative size of muscles involved in the transfer of forces from the trunk to the forelimbs and in stabilizing the shoulder joint."

forelimb_proportions_index

numeric, "Length of proximal forelimb relative to length of distal forelimb ((Scapula length + Humerus length)/(Radius length + Metacarpal length)). Indicates degree of morphological specialization for producing large out-forces in the forelimb."

humerus_epicondyle_index

numeric, "Humerus epicondyle width relative to humerus length (Humerus epicondyle width/Humerus length). Indicates relative surface area for attachment of wrist and digit flexor, extensor, pronator, and supinator muscles."

olecranon_mechanical_advantage

numeric, "Length of olecranon process relative to length of distal forelimb (Olecranon length/(Radius length + Metacarpal length)). Indicates anatomical mechanical advantage of triceps brachii, an elbow extensor."

styloid_width_index

numeric, "Styloid width relative to radius length (Styloid width/Radius length). Indicates relative robusticity of distal forelimb."

pisiform_mechanical_advantage

numeric, "Length of pisiform relative to length of manus (Pisiform length/Metacarpal length). Indicates anatomical mechanical advantage of flexor carpi ulnaris, a wrist flexor."

ischium_mechanical_advantage

numeric, "Length of ischium relative to total hindlimb length (Ischium length/(Femur length + Tibia length + Metatarsal length)). Indicates anatomical mechanical advantage of main hindlimb retractor muscles (e.g., biceps femoris, semimebranosus, semitendinosus)."

femur_epicondyle_index

numeric, "Femur epicondyle width relative to femur length (Femur epicondyle width/Femur length). Indicates relative surface area for attachment of hip extensor, knee flexor, and foot plantarflexor muscles (e.g., semimembranosus, gastrocnemius, extensor digitorum longus)."

hindlimb_malleolus_index

numeric, "Hindlimb malleolus width relative to tibia length (Hindlimb malleolus width/Tibia length). Indicates relative robusticity of distal hindlimb."

calcaneus_mechanical_advantage

numeric, "Length of calcaneal process relative to length of pes (Calcaneus length/Metatarsal length). Indicates anatomical mechanical advantage of ankle extensors (e.g., gastrocnemius)."

Source

Morris, J.S. and Carrier, D.R. (2016), Sexual selection on skeletal shape in Carnivora. Evolution, 70: 767-780. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12904 Raw data deposited in Dryad https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.86523

ryanraaum/qmdata documentation built on Dec. 22, 2021, 8:18 p.m.