Boyer diss 2009 1046..

A second analysis includes all seven measurements (Fig. 4.50B). P. insignis is
not included because metapodial data are not available for it. The positions of the
included plesiadapiforms are similar to what they are in the previous analysis: they plot
close to each other, are surrounded by arboreal taxa, and are not particularly close to
other euarchontans, Tupaia or Cynocephalus.
The third analysis includes all of the measurements of the second analysis except
for trunk length (Trk-L was removed from all calculations) (Fig. 4.50C). This allows the
inclusion of a larger, more diverse taxon sample. The positions of the plesiadapiform
taxa are similar to what they are in the other two analyses. Interestingly the primitive,
arboreal treeshrew, Ptilocercus lowii, plots close to the plesiadapiforms. Measurements
representing a composite micromomyid plesiadapiform were included and show it to plot
close to Carpolestes and P. cookei. Interestingly cercopithecid euprimates plot in the
same part of the morphospace as some of these plesiadapiforms. Unlike other extant taxa
in this region of the morphospace, the sampled cercopithecids (Table 4.35) are relatively
terrestrially adapted among euprimates.
Comparing limb indices of P. cookei to those of other plesiadapids reveals that it
has a short trunk (Table 4.34: Tr-I) compared to its limb lengths, a long radius and femur
compared to its humerus length (Table 4.34: Br-I and Hf-I), a tibia that is short compared
to the radius but long compared to the femur (Table 4.34: Rt-I and Cr-I), and a forelimb
that is long compared to the hind limb (Table 4.34:Int-I). One exception here is that P.
insignis has an even longer femur relative to its humeral length. Most of these metrics
cannot be evaluated in P. tricuspidens because no tibial lengths are available (thus
previous calculations of intermembral index are estimates: e.g., Gingerich, 1976).
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