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THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Eric Snively A ... - Ohio University

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definition of the arctometatarsus has so far relied upon comparative qualitative<br />

study, which has spurred quantitative investigation of biomechanics (Holtz<br />

1994a) and phylogeny (Holtz 1994b, 1996, Sereno 1999). A thorough<br />

assessment of theropod MT III diversity must precede efforts to place the<br />

arctometatarsus in a systematic and fundional frarnework, and thus to explicate<br />

its roles in theropod evolution and ecology. 60th descriptive and quantitative<br />

techniques are useful in addressing these issues.<br />

Description provides a salutary prerequisite to mathematical inquiries into<br />

morphological diversity. White quantitative analysis is ostensibly a more<br />

objective starting point, a grounding in qualitative data is necessary for assessing<br />

previous morphological perceptions, and for interpretation of statistical results<br />

(Pimentel 1979). Statistical methods must yield wholly to morphological<br />

description wtien sample size is very low (often the case with palaeontological<br />

specimens: Kemp 1999). Description and observation are the primary methods<br />

for arriving at phyiogenetic charaders when morphology is the only criterion<br />

available (Grande and Bernis 1998). ln addition, subtleties of morphology may<br />

be missed when a worker chooses [andmarks for morphometric study (see<br />

conclusions to this chapter for examples).<br />

Therefore, this chapter proceeds from descriptive to quantitative assessment<br />

of theropod third metatarsals. The development and province of MT Ill affected<br />

that of both adjacent weight bearing metatarsals (Holtz 1994a). Morphological<br />

segregation of MT III by description and statistical clustering has the potential to<br />

elucidate variation in the entire pes of a wide array of taxa. Because the initial

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