Functional morphology of vertebrate claws investigated using functionally based categories and multiple morphological metrics.
biomechanics
claw function
morphometrics
Journal
Journal of morphology
ISSN: 1097-4687
Titre abrégé: J Morphol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0406125
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
03 2021
03 2021
Historique:
received:
09
03
2020
revised:
29
12
2020
accepted:
31
12
2020
pubmed:
5
1
2021
medline:
25
6
2021
entrez:
4
1
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The link between claw morphology and function has been historically difficult to quantify, analyze, and interpret. In this study, the functional morphology of vertebrate claws is analyzed using measurements taken from 80 modern claw specimens spanning birds, mammals, and one reptile. Claw measurements were chosen for their potential biomechanical significance and a revised, expanded categorization of claw function is defined and used. This categorization scheme is the result of an extensive literature review and is based on the observed mechanics of claw function rather than the animal's overall ecology, an important departure from the norm followed in previous studies. A principal component analysis of the claw measurements reveals that some of the morphological disparity is related to functional differences; however, different functional categories are not clearly separated based solely on morphology. A linear discriminant analysis successfully classifies 81.25% of the claw specimens to their documented functional categories. When the posterior probabilities of each classification are examined, and the next highest probabilities are considered, the analysis is able to successfully classify 96.25% of the claw specimens. Expressing angle measurements in terms of lengths prior to analysis and incorporating cross-sectional shape data both serve to reduce the misclassification rate. The use of biomechanically meaningful claw measurements and categories based on function (rather than ecology) improves confidence in the ability to infer claw function based on morphology using discriminant analysis methods. While overall claw morphology is most certainly the result of multiple factors (e.g., growth, size, etc.), this study establishes that it reflects mechanical function more than previously demonstrated.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
449-471Informations de copyright
© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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