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Boyer diss 2009 1046..

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foramina, and faces slightly proximally. The middle part of the flexor tubercle can be<br />

further subdivided into right and left pits. These pits are ventrally facing, to slightly<br />

proximally facing. They presumably represent the actual attachment points for the flexor<br />

digitorum longus tendon. Finally, the third, distal part of the flexor tubercle is strongly<br />

convex. The proximal end of the third part faces ventrally while the distal part faces<br />

distally. Distal to the flexor tubercle the ventral margin of the claw shaft first arches<br />

dorsally and then arches strongly ventrally. The tip of the claw shaft is usually more<br />

ventrally situated than the ventral margin of the flexor tubercle. The dorsal surface of the<br />

claw, as viewed laterally, is slightly concave between the extensor tubercle and the main<br />

shaft. Otherwise, the shaft is smoothly convex for its entire length. The proportionally<br />

great lengths of the claw shafts obscure the fact that they are also quite dorsoventrally<br />

deep. This point is best appreciated by looking at the claw in dorsal or ventral view, so<br />

that the claw’s mediolateral narrowness can be seen.<br />

Function.—The proportionally large dorsoventral depth of the intermediate<br />

phalanges is taken to an extreme in the distal phalanges: it can be inferred that these<br />

elements were also robust to parasagittal bending moments. The strongly curved claw<br />

shafts, and large distally positioned extensor tubercles suggest a capacity for strongly<br />

clinging or grappling to/on substrates. A more in-depth study of the functional<br />

significance of plesiadapiform claws is underway (Maiolino and <strong>Boyer</strong>, 2008).<br />

Comparison.—Compared to other plesiadapids (Table 4.15: see CSV), P.cookei<br />

has on average the proportionally narrowest (or deepest) claws. ANOVA of specimens,<br />

grouped by taxon, in the available sample show significant among taxon variance (df=4,<br />

F=5.858, P=0.0013). However, values of P. cookei overlap extensively with those of P.<br />

325

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