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Boyer diss 2009 1046..

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Optimization of postcranial traits from Bloch et al. (2007) reveals a few<br />

substantial differences in the coding of basal plesiadapids compared to more derived<br />

forms. These are discussed in the next section.<br />

Cladistic analysis of character matrices using higher level taxa – As mentioned in<br />

the Methods section, the coding of “Plesiadapidae” in Bloch and Silcox (2006) and Bloch<br />

et al. (2007) was changed as a result of the character optimization exercise discussed<br />

above. Specifically, Bloch and Silcox (2006) and Bloch et al. (2007) coded<br />

Plesiadapidae with a “question mark” for cranial character 2 “Relations of entotympanic<br />

bone.” Given that plesiadapids probably lack an entotympanic bone based on evidence<br />

presented in Chapter 2, and that they are extraordinarily similar to Euprimates in this<br />

regard, I changed this coding from a “question mark” to a “1” (no entotympanic bone<br />

present).<br />

For cranial character 3, “Form of external auditory meatus,” Bloch and Silcox<br />

(2006) and Bloch et al. (2007) coded Plesiadapidae with a “1” indicating that the external<br />

auditory meatus is “expanded into a tube.” However, the character optimization shows<br />

that the tube form is derived, because basal species like Pr. gaoi (UALVP 46685) and N.<br />

intermedius (USNM 309902) exhibit the unexpanded, “0” state.<br />

For cranial character 5, “Presence of branches of internal carotid artery,” Bloch<br />

and Silcox (2006) and Bloch et al. (2007) coded Plesiadapidae with a “2” indicating that<br />

“evidence for the internal carotid system is absent.” Specimens of Pr. gaoi (UALVP<br />

46687, 49105), N. intermedius (USNM 309902), P. tricuspidens (e.g., MNHN CR 125,<br />

Pellouin skull, various MNHN isolated petrosals) and P. cookei (UM 87990) all show<br />

evidence that the internal carotid plexus entered the middle ear cavity. In many of these<br />

512

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