Morphological Forelimb Comparison Between American Lions And Clouded Leopards !
Scapula Shape Index :
It's scapula width/length ratio. Higher score indicates greater muscle attachement on the shoulder joint as well as greater ability to make certain movements like full-functional upper extremity movement including protraction,retraction,elevation,depression, upward rotation,and downward rotation all else being equal.
P.Atrox : 70%
N.Nebulosa : 59%
Edge : P.Atrox
Scapula Length Index :
Scapula length divided by Forelimb length (humerus +radius+metacarpal III).Higher score Indicates exertion of greater force from the Forelimb.
P.Atrox : 31%
N.Nebulosa : 31%
Edge : Draw
API :
Acromion process length/scapula length. Higher score in this ratio increases attachment for the deltoid muscle.
P.Atrox : 8%
N.Nebulosa : 14%
Edge : N.Nebulosa
SMI :
Deltopectoral crest length divided by humerus length. Higher score Displays greater mechanical advantage of deltoid and pectoral muscles at the shoulder joint.
P.Atrox : 62%
N.Nebulosa : 51%
Edge : P.Atrox
HRI :
It is humerus mediolateral diameter at mid-shaft/humerus length. Robust forelimb bones protect the animal from violent stresses during grappling.
P.Atrox : 10%
N.Nebulosa : 8%
Edge : P.Atrox
HRI2 :
It is humerus anteroposterior diameter at mid-shaft/humerus length. Robust forelimb bones protect the animal from violent stresses during grappling.
P.Atrox : 16%
N.Nebulosa : 10%
Edge : P.Atrox
HEI :
The HEI index measures the relative size of wrist stabilizing muscles and well as several grasping muscles in area which facilitate prey grasping. These muscles also likely help stability, pushing, and agility when legs are on ground.
P.Atrox : 27%
N.Nebulosa : 24%
Edge : P.Atrox
HTI :
It's Humeral trochlear length/Humeral length. Higher score increases muscle attachement on the elbow joint and allows for more ulnohumeral flexion and extension.
P.Atrox : 20%
N.Nebulosa : 15%
Edge : P.Atrox
Brachial Index :
This measures radius length/humerus length. Lower scores in this ratio indicate greater forelimb muscle mechanical advantage and results in stronger muscles all else being equal.
P.Atrox : 94%
N.Nebulosa : 80%
Edge : N.Nebulosa
Brachial Index 2 :
This measures ulna length/humerus length. Lower scores in this ratio indicate greater forelimb muscle mechanical advantage and results in stronger muscles all else being equal.
P.Atrox : 113%
N.Nebulosa : 98%
Edge : N.Nebulosa
Forelimb Proportion Index :
Length of proximal forelimb relative to length of distal forelimb ((Scapula length + Humerus length)/(Radius length + Metacarpal length)).Higher score Indicates greater degree of morphological specialization for producing large out-forces in the forelimb.
P.Atrox : 132%
N.Nebulosa : 152%
Edge : N.Nebulosa
OI :
This metrics estimates tricep muscle strength. High values indicate greater ability to push with arms all else being equal. This helps a grappling cat hold prey and also helps a canid push and knock down an opponent. In addition, higher values may indicate greater stability and ability to change direction in a fight.
P.Atrox : 19%
N.Nebulosa : 18%
Edge : P.Atrox
URI :
It is ulna mediolateral diameter at mid-shaft/humerus length. As mentioned above for humerus robusticity, Robust forelimb bones protect the animal from violent stresses during grappling.
P.Atrox : 7%
N.Nebulosa : 5%
Edge : P.Atrox
URI2 :
This measures ulna anteroposterior diameter at midshaft divided by ulna length. As mentioned above for humerus robusticity, a robust ulna resists stresses on bones during fights and increases resistance to bites to the forelimb.
P.Atrox : 10%
N.Nebulosa : 9%
Edge : P.Atrox
RRI :
This measures radius mediolateral diameter at midshaft divided by radius length. As mentioned above for humerus robusticity, a robust radius resists stresses on bones during fights and increases resistance to bites to the forelimb.
P.Atrox : 11%
N.Nebulosa : 10%
Edge : P.Atrox
RRI2 :
This measures radius anteroposterior diameter at midshaft divided by radius length. As mentioned above for humerus robusticity, a robust radius resists stresses on bones during fights and increases resistance to bites to the forelimb.
P.Atrox : 6%
N.Nebulosa : 6%
Edge : Draw
PAW :
This is a measurement of paw width on forelimbs and gives us an idea of how well-paws are designed to hold prey. In addition, relatively wider paws likely increase stability while feet are on ground.
P.Atrox : 86%
N.Nebulosa : 77%
Edge : P.Atrox
MANUS :
Manus digit 3 proximal phalanx length divided by metacarpal 3 length.Higher score Indicates greater relative proportions of proximal and distal elements of the manus and size of the palmar surface.
P.Atrox : 49%
N.Nebulosa : 61%
Edge : N.Nebulosa
CLAW :
Manus digit three terminal phalanx length divided by pes digit three terminal phalanx.Higher score is to be expected in species whose claws are more capable of breaking soil.
P.Atrox : 98%
N.Nebulosa : 106%
Edge : N.Nebulosa
Studies Used For The Above Comparison :
www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Osteology-and-ecology-of-Megantereon-cultridens-a-%E2%80%93-Christiansen-Adolfssen/f5dd2b7f596ef6b84aff81281e97e6f7f75422a6 www.researchgate.net/publication/23720916_Forelimb_Indicators_of_Prey-Size_Preference_in_the_Felidae www.researchgate.net/publication/230843015_Postcranial_morphology_and_the_locomotor_habits_of_living_and_extinct_carnivores www.researchgate.net/publication/261974255_Morphological_convergence_of_the_prey-killing_arsenal_of_sabertooth_predators www.researchgate.net/publication/20806549_Differential_scaling_of_the_long_bones_in_the_terrestrial_carnivora_and_other_mammals?enrichId=rgreq-2f9ac11eda3247900d6ec9376377e3f1-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzIwODA2NTQ5O0FTOjU4MTU4MTI5NzAwMDQ0OEAxNTE1NjcxMTk0Mzk3&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdf if a Clouded Leopard were to fight the extinct American Lion, the latter would obviously toy with it thanks to its size. Interestingly, it appears that even if the two were similar in size, the Pantherine would still be stronger as most ratios point out to Atrox having relatively overall stronger shoulders, more robust humeri, wider epicondyles, larger trochleas, olecrana, thicker ulnae,radii and wider paws while Neofelis simply had shorter forelimbs, greater forelimb proportions, greater Manus proportions and deadlier claws. Overall, the extinct American Lion was a stronger and better grappler than the extant Clouded Leopard even on a proportional basis !
