Blood flow rate to the femur of extinct kangaroos implies a higher locomotor intensity compared to living hopping macropods

• DOI: 10.1007/s10914-023-09701-4
• Publication Date: 2024-01-19T12:02:41Z
• Authors: Qiaohui Hu; Roger S. Seymour; Edward P. Snelling; Rod T. Wells
• Keywords: Morphology; 0301 basic medicine; Nutrient foramen; Allometry; 03 medical and health sciences; Kangaroos; Femur; Blood flow; Locomotion; 333

Abstract The stocky skeletons and post-cranial anatomy of many extinct kangaroos indicate that they might have engaged in varied locomotor behaviors, rather than bipedal hopping, as their primary mode locomotion. This study investigates support for this idea by estimating femoral bone perfusion, which is a correlate intensity, compared to living hopping species. Femur blood flow rates can be estimated from the sizes nutrient foramina on femur shaft species, without preservation soft tissue. Estimated among Macropus , Protemnodon Sthenurinae ( Sthenurus Simosthenurus Procoptodon ) are not significantly different one another but greater macropods after accounting effect body mass, consistent with purportedly style. giant sthenurines more robust femora extrapolated data macropods, possibly due larger requiring relatively stronger leg bones heavier weights, especially if loaded onto single limb during striding.