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Yapuncich et al 2015 data set Project ID: 00000C128 Public
157 Media · 94 Specimens · Managed by: Gabriel Yapuncich

A species' body mass is a fundamental aspect of its biology, with wide-reaching impacts on life history, diet, and locomotion. Because body mass cannot be directly measured in extinct taxa, reliable body mass estimators are needed to open valuable avenues for understanding their ecology and evolution. Many published body mass estimation equations rely on dental dimensions, but certain skeletal dimensions should have a more direct relationship with body mass. We present ordinary least squares and multiple regression equations for inferring euarchontan body mass based on measurements of the articular facets of the astragalus and calcaneus. Surface areas of five astragalar facets (n=217 specimens) and two calcaneal facets (n=163) were measured. Separate regressions are given for different levels of taxonomic inclusivity, and the reliability of each equation is evaluated with the coefficient of determination, standard error of the estimate, mean prediction error, and the PRESS statistic. We compare prediction errors to published prediction equations that utilize dental and/or tarsal measures. Finally, we examine the effects of taxonomically specific regressions and apply our equations to a diverse set of non-primates. Our results reveal that predictions based on facet areas are more reliable than most linear dental or tarsal predictors. Multivariate approaches are often better than univariate methods, but require more information (making them less useful for fragmentary fossils). While some taxonomically specific regressions improve predictive ability, this is not true for all primate groups. Of the individual facets, the astragalar ectal facet and calcaneal cuboid facet are the best body mass estimators.

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