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Boyer diss 2009 1046..

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Major cranial differences between Plesiadapis cookei and P. tricuspidens<br />

The crania of P. cookei and P. tricuspidens are not highly divergent. In fact, they<br />

are uniquely similar among known plesiadapid skulls in their laterally expanded, tubular<br />

external auditory meati, and in the minimal exposure of the molar roots on the dorsal<br />

surface of their maxillae. On the other hand, P. cookei differs distinctly from P.<br />

tricuspidens in having proportionally broader nasals (Table 2.6: N/GM), and a<br />

proportionally smaller glenoid fossa (Table 2.6: Gld/GM). Additionally, P. cookei<br />

appears to differ from P. tricuspidens in having an ectotympanic ring that does not flare<br />

beyond its attachment to the bullar part of the ectotympanic as substantially, and possibly<br />

in having a more posteriorly projecting nuchal crest. Interestingly, the features separating<br />

P. cookei from P. tricuspidens, also separate smaller North American plesiadapids from<br />

P. tricuspidens, including P. anceps, N. intermedius, N. gidleyi, and Pr. gaoi (see Chapter<br />

2). Some previously undocumented dental differences between P.cookei and P.<br />

tricuspidens are also revealed by UM 87990: unlike P. tricuspidens, P. cookei lacks a P 2<br />

and a has more molariform P 4 .<br />

IMPLICATIONS OF CRANIODENTAL MATERIAL FOR BODY SIZE IN<br />

PLESIADAPIDAE<br />

Though it is clear that both P. cookei and P. tricuspidens were absolutely large<br />

among plesiadapids generally, the comparison of body size in these species has remained<br />

ambiguous. P. cookei has molar teeth with occlusal areas that are 140% (M 1 ), 127% (M 2 )<br />

and 119% (M 3 ) larger than those of P. tricuspidens [data from Gingerich (1976: table A-<br />

202

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