Cats in the forest: predicting habitat adaptations from humerus morphometry in extant and fossil Felidae (Carnivora)

摘要: Mammalian carnivores are rarely incorporated in paleoenvironmental reconstructions, largely because of their rarity within the fossil record. However, multivariate statistical modeling can be successfully used to quantify specific anatomical features as environmental predictors. Here we explore morphological variability humerus a closely related group predators (Felidae) investigate relationship between morphometric descriptors and habitat categories. We analyze linear measurements three different combinations (log-transformed, size-free, ratio), four distinct ways categorizing adaptations. Open, Mixed, Closed categories defined according criteria based on traditional descriptions species, distributions, biome occupancy. Extensive exploratory work is presented using discriminant analyses several fossils included provide paleoecological reconstructions.We found no significant differences predictive power or criteria, although sample splitting into small large cat guilds greatly improves stability models. Significant insights emerge for long-canine cats: Smilodon populator, Paramachairodus orientalis, Dinofelis sp. from Olduvai Gorge (East Africa). S. populator P. orientalis both predicted have been closed-habitat adapted taxa. The false “sabertooth” mixed habitat. application felid ecomorphology carnivoran record shows that older stratigraphic levels (Bed I, 1.99–1.79 Ma) broader range environments than Beds II V, where there an abundance cats open environments.