Ecomorphology of the cervid calcaneus as a proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction

Gruwier, Ben J.; Kovarovic, Kris

doi:10.1002/ar.24845

Ecomorphology of the cervid calcaneus as a proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction

Gruwier, Ben J.; Kovarovic, Kris

Authors

Ben J. Gruwier

Dr Kris Fire Kovarovic kris.kovarovic@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Abstract

This study presents new ecomorphological models for the cervid calcaneus that can be used to make predictions about the nature of ancient environments. Using geometric morphometrics to quantitatively assess the length of the articular surface supporting the malleolus, the length and orientation of the tuber calcanei, and the position of the articular facets, we aimed to establish correlations between morphological traits, locomotor behavior, and environmental parameters in extant cervids. The morphology of the calcaneus was found to primarily vary with locomotor strategy and habitat, along a continuum from habitats with an open vegetation structure to habitats with a closed vegetation structure. Confounding factors, including sexual dimorphism, allometry, and phylogeny were accounted for using Principal Component Analysis, regressions and phylogenetic comparative methods. The results of our analyses suggested that these factors did not substantially obscure habitat predictions. As such, the calcaneus provides a valuable proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction that is broadly applicable to Quaternary fossil assemblages with a sufficiently large sample of cervids.

Citation

Gruwier, B. J., & Kovarovic, K. (2022). Ecomorphology of the cervid calcaneus as a proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 305(9), 2207-2226. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24845

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Nov 8, 2021
Online Publication Date	Nov 26, 2021
Publication Date	2022-09
Deposit Date	Dec 6, 2021
Publicly Available Date	Nov 26, 2022
Journal	The Anatomical Record
Print ISSN	1932-8486
Electronic ISSN	1932-8494
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	305
Issue	9
Pages	2207-2226
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24845
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1222524

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Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gruwier, Ben J. & Kovarovic, Kris (2022). Ecomorphology of the cervid calcaneus as a proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The Anatomical Record 305(9): 2207-2226., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24845. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.