Beth Carroll

Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Ungulate, Locomotion, Evolution, Paleontology, Biology, Functional Morphology

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

Locomotor behavior is a complex neural and musculoskeletal response to an animal's environment and other external factors. Morphology, behavior, and gait choice are closely interrelated and often coevolve in response to environmental change. Morphological, specifically osteological, correlates of specific behaviors and movement patterns observed in extant taxa provides insight into that of extinct groups in which fossilized bones and trackways provide the only clues. Extant taxa can be useful models for reconstructing the movements and behaviors of extinct forms. The mammalian ungulate clades seen today are a representation of a rich and diverse evolutionary history filled with multiple examples of convergent and parallel evolution in response to similar environmental shifts and behavioral strategies. Modern ungulates (Tubulidentata, Hyracoidea, Sirenia, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla, and Artiodactyla) are useful models for both extinct ungulate groups and unrelated tetrapod vertebrates. While there are limitations, the study of ungulate evolution has uses that are not limited to reconstructing extinct taxa. In addition it has relevance in veterinary care, animal conservation, and robotics.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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