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Boyer diss 2009 1046..

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measurements, see caption of Fig. 4.46 for a specific listing). The next analysis (Fig.<br />

4.46C) uses a subsample of 14 of these measurements (see caption of Fig. 4.46 for a<br />

specific listing), allowing inclusion of N. intermedius (USNM 442229) elements. The<br />

final analysis (Fig. 4.46D) uses a different subset of 14 of the 31 measurements from<br />

Figure 4.46B (see caption of Fig. 4.46 for a specific listing), allowing the inclusion of N.<br />

gidleyi (AMNH 17379) elements. In the first three analyses (Fig. 4.46A-C), a fairly<br />

consistent pattern results, despite different variable sets: euprimates of the sample are<br />

fairly similar to each other, with Tarsius forming an outlier. Plesiadapids and<br />

plesiadapiforms are similar to each other, and typically plot just outside of the euprimate<br />

distribution, closer to the phalangerid opposum Trichosurus and the two rodents of the<br />

sample. Generally, the first coordinate seems to be driven by measurements relating to<br />

tail length, while the second appears to relate to neck length. Thus, with a relatively long<br />

neck and short tail, Cynocephalus is in its own region of each morphospace. Figure<br />

4.46D only includes one measurement reflecting tail length (length of Ca1). This does not<br />

appear to be enough information to capture the informative aspects of variance in tail<br />

length of the sample. Thus the distribution here is quite different. Still, it shows<br />

plesiadapids to be closer in form to various euprimates, rodents and oppossums than to<br />

Cynocephalus or Tupaia.<br />

Atlas<br />

Description.—The atlas is well preserved (Fig. 4.41). The right transverse process<br />

is broken lateral to the canal for the vertebral artery. The posterior arch is craniocaudally<br />

shortest at the midline and becomes longer, or more expanded, laterally; however, its<br />

361

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