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Boyer diss 2009 1046..

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suggests a ventriflexed, abducted proximal carpal row. The pronounced tubercles<br />

delimiting the extensor compartments are consistent with a mobile wrist joint in which<br />

extreme hand postures (primarily extremes of dorsiflexion and abduction) could have<br />

caused the extensor tendons to strain their boundaries if not reinforced by bony<br />

buttresses.<br />

Comparison.—Compared to that of other plesiadapids, the radius of P. cookei is<br />

not remarkable. The radial head is essentially the same shape as it is in the other taxa for<br />

which it is known (Table 4.4A). The distal end is also similar among all taxa for which it<br />

sufficiently known, although it is too fragmentary in both Nannodectes specimens to be<br />

confident in this assessment. The distal end appears to be physiologically supinated (i.e.,<br />

to exhibit torsion) relative to the proximal end to a similar degree in N. intermedius and<br />

P. tricuspidens. The pronator teres tuberosity is equally noticeable in N. intermedius, the<br />

only other specimen for which it is preserved. Two points of interesting variation include<br />

the following: (1) P. cookei has a more gracile radial shaft than those of P. tricuspidens<br />

and N. intermedius (Table 4.4A: SSV) and (2) N. intermedius has a larger radial head for<br />

its shaft length (Table 4.4A: HLV) as compared to either P. cookei or P. tricuspidens.<br />

Ulna<br />

Description.—A nearly complete left and a proximal fragment of the right ulnae<br />

are preserved. Unfortunately, a segment of the shaft of the left side is missing, and the<br />

exact length is unknowable, although it can be estimated using the left radius. This was<br />

done during preparation of the skeleton and the missing segment of the ulna has been<br />

reconstructed with paste epoxy (Fig. 4.5B). Neither side preserves enough of the<br />

294

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