Postcranial adaptations for leaping in primates
Abstract
Leaping primates are specialized for hindlimb-propelled locomotion within arboreal
habitats. As a group, they include members of Galagonidae, Lemuriformes and Tarsiidae.
Postcranial characters analysed here include humeral and femoral diaphyseal rigidity,
articular surface areas and lengths. Data for leaper taxa are compared with corresponding
data for less specialized small primates. The more generalized comparative primates
include both closely related prosimians and distantly related platyrrhines (New World
monkeys). In addition, the leapers are subdivided for further analysis according to
body size and taxonomic association. Questions addressed concern the identification
of functionally and/or phylogenetically linked traits in leaper postcrania. Results
indicate that leapers as a group have relatively higher femoral diaphyseal rigidity
and longer femora than do more generalized primates. These traits are also present
in Pithecia pithecia, a platyrrhine leaper included for comparison. These enhanced
properties probably function in resisting large hindlimb forces incurred during leaping,
and in producing longer, more efficient leaps. Most of the large-bodied lemuriform
leapers are further distinguished in having relatively bigger femoral heads and reduced
humeral rigidity. The small-bodied leapers, galagonids and tarsiids, do not differ
in either femoral head surface area or in any of the humeral properties from more
generalized primates. Pithecia has a large femoral head like lemuriforms, but it is
not reduced in humeral rigidity. Aspects of hip joint structure and mobility may be
related to femoral head size in lemuriforms and Pithecia. Explanations regarding reduced
lemuriform humeral rigidity are also explored. Differences between lemuriform primates
are also present, most notably in aspects of the distal humerus. Indrids are characterized
by relatively reduced trochleae, while many lemurids have relatively small capitula.
These features are interpreted with regard to frequencies of suspensory behaviour
and quadrupedalism.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6348Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1017/S0952836900005100Publication Info
Connour, JR; Glander, K; & Vincent, F (2000). Postcranial adaptations for leaping in primates. Journal of Zoology, 251(1). pp. 79-103. 10.1017/S0952836900005100. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6348.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Kenneth Earl Glander
Professor Emeritus of Evolutionary Anthropology
Primate ecology and social organization: the interaction between feeding patterns
and social structure; evolutionary development of optimal group size and composition;
factors affecting short and long-term demographic changes in stable groups; primate
use of regenerating forests.

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