Morphological and size variations of the calcaneum in primates and its application to fossil taxa

• Project/Area Number: 25840172
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Physical anthropology
• Research Institution: Ehime University (2014-2015); Okayama University of Science (2013)
• Principal Investigator: Tsubamoto Takehisa 愛媛大学, 理工学研究科, 准教授 (20522139)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2015)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
• Keywords: 霊長類 / 踵骨 / 化石 / 体重推定 / 哺乳類 / 計測 / 形態 / 回帰分析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although the calcaneum (= heel bone) of primates and mammals is useful for the fossil studies, its size and morphological variation and relationship with the body mass have not been well documented. In this study, I performed basic analyses of size (statistical) and morphology based on real specimens. The best measurement points for the study of the calcaneum were determined, and the basics to making a data base of the calcaneal measurements were settled. When estimating body mass from the calcaneum, the ‘width of posterior astragalar articular surface’ is the best for estimating body mass. In other words, this ‘width’ appears to be restricted by the body mass more than the function and behavioral pattern. Additionally, a fossil calcaneum specimen from the Eocene of Mongolia was illustrated and described.

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] University of Mandalay/Kalay University(ミャンマー)
• [Journal Article] New specimens of Entelodon gobiensis (Mammalia; Artiodactyla; Entelodontidae) from the Eocene Ergilin Dzo Formation, Mongolia (2013)
  • Author(s): Tsubamoto, T., Tsogtbaatar, Kh., Saneyoshi, M., Mainbayar, B., Watabe, M., Chinzorig, Ts., Khatanbaatar, P., and Nishido, H.
  • Journal Title: The Bulletin of Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Okayama University of Science Volume: 39 Pages: 37-41
  • NAID: 110009687567
• [Presentation] 現生霊長類における腫骨からの体重推定にむけて (2015)
  • Author(s): 鍔本武久
  • Organizer: 第31回 日本霊長類学会大会
  • Place of Presentation: 京都大学，京都
  • Year and Date: 2015-07-18
• [Presentation] Rich artiodactyl assemblage from the middle Eocene Pondaung Formation, Myanmar (2014)
  • Author(s): Tsubamoto, T., Egi, N., Takai, M., Thaung-Htike, Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein
  • Organizer: 74th Annual Meeting, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: ベルリン
  • Year and Date: 2014-11-05 – 2014-11-08
• [Presentation] 成長過程における距骨および踵骨のサイズと形態の変異：現生ニホンザルの幼獣の例 (2014)
  • Author(s): 鍔本武久・名取真人
  • Organizer: 日本古生物学会第163回例会
  • Place of Presentation: 兵庫県三田市
• [Presentation] 現生ニホンザルの幼獣における距骨および踵骨のサイズと形態の変異 (2013)
  • Author(s): 鍔本武久・名取真人
  • Organizer: 第29回日本霊長類学会・日本哺乳類学会2013年度合同大会
  • Place of Presentation: 岡山県岡山市
• [Remarks] Tsubamoto-HP_research
  • URL: http://earth.sci.ehime-u.ac.jp/~tsubamoto/Tsubamoto_Research.html