Deciphering locomotion in reptiles: application of elliptic Fourier transforms to femoral microanatomy

Reptiles represent one of the most diverse groups of tetrapod vertebrates. Extant representatives of reptiles include lepidosaurs (lizards), testudines (turtles) and archosaurs (crocodiles and birds). In particular, they show an important locomotor diversity with bipedal, quadrupedal and facultatively bipedal taxa. This diversity is accompanied by substantial microanatomical disparity in the limb bones. Although many studies have highlighted the link between locomotion and bone microstructure, the latter has never been quantitatively studied from an angular perspective. Indeed, some taxa show microanatomical heterogeneity in cross-section. Here we show, using elliptic Fourier transforms and statistical analyses integrating phylogeny, how angular microanatomical parameters measured on reptilian femoral cross-sections, such as angular bone compactness, can be related to locomotion in this clade. Although phylogeny appears to have a significant impact on our results, we show that a functional signal exists. In particular, we show that bipeds and quadrupeds present a craniolateral-caudomedial and dorsoventral deficit in bone compactness, respectively. This reflects cross-sectional eccentricity in these directions that we relate to the forces acting upon the femur in different postural contexts. This work contributes to deciphering the complex interplay between phylogeny, femoral cross-sectional microanatomy and locomotion in reptiles.

Automated summary

Reptiles, including lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and birds, exhibit a diverse range of locomotion and limb bone microstructure. This study quantitatively examines the relationship between angular microanatomical parameters of reptilian femoral cross-sections and locomotion using elliptic Fourier transforms and statistical analyses. Results show that while phylogeny plays a significant role, a functional signal exists, with bipeds showing a craniolateral-caudomedial deficit in bone compactness, and quadrupeds showing a dorsoventral deficit. These findings provide insights into the complex interplay between phylogeny, femoral cross-sectional microanatomy, and locomotion in reptiles.