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Boyer diss 2009 1046..

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distal end implies that the forearms were typically somewhat abducted during pronograde<br />

postures (Fig. 4.3).<br />

Comparison.—A dataset from Szalay and Dagosto (1980) was modified to<br />

compare the distal end of the humerus of P. cookei to those of other plesiadapids and<br />

mammals (mainly other euarchontans) (Table 4.3C, Fig. 4.4). Six size-standardized<br />

variables were analyzed with principal coordinates analysis (PCA). P. cookei is revealed<br />

to be most similar in its joint morphology to that of other plesiadapids, as well as adapid<br />

and omomyid euprimates. On the other hand, primitive eutherian mammals and nonprimate<br />

euarchontans are well-separated from P. cookei.<br />

Comparing P. cookei only to other plesiadapids in a more focused, if qualitative<br />

fashion, reveals it to differ from smaller forms including Pr. gaoi, N. intermedius, and N.<br />

gidleyi in having much greater lateral deviation of its distal end (Table 4.3A: LD). P.<br />

tricuspidens, P. remensis, and Pl. daubrei appear to have the distal end of the humerus<br />

oriented like that of P. cookei. While all known plesiadapids have a prominent medial<br />

keel on the ulnar trochlea of the humerus, P. cookei differs from Pr. gaoi, P. rex, P.<br />

tricuspidens and Pl. daubrei in lacking a lateral keel on its trochlea. This feature is<br />

present in many euprimates, but is also found in the primitive arboreal treeshrew<br />

Ptilocercus lowii. In taxa possessing a lateral keel, the trochlea is more easily<br />

distinguished from the zona conoidea lateral to it. The specimens of Nannodectes are<br />

like P. cookei in lacking the lateral keel. P. cookei further differs from P. rex alone in the<br />

presence of a dorsoepitrochlear fossa (it is retained in all other plesiadapid specimens).<br />

Finally, P. cookei appears to differ from at least P. tricuspidens in having a more gracile<br />

humerus (Table 4.3A: note higher SSV). Furthermore, while the left humerus of P.<br />

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