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Trabecular architecture in the forelimb epiphyses of extant xenarthrans (Mammalia)

Overview of attention for article published in Frontiers in Zoology, November 2017
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Title
Trabecular architecture in the forelimb epiphyses of extant xenarthrans (Mammalia)
Published in
Frontiers in Zoology, November 2017
DOI 10.1186/s12983-017-0241-x
Pubmed ID
Authors

Eli Amson, Patrick Arnold, Anneke H. van Heteren, Aurore Canoville, John A. Nyakatura

Abstract

Bone structure has a crucial role in the functional adaptations that allow vertebrates to conduct their diverse lifestyles. Much has been documented regarding the diaphyseal structure of long bones of tetrapods. However, the architecture of trabecular bone, which is for instance found within the epiphyses of long bones, and which has been shown experimentally to be extremely plastic, has received little attention in the context of lifestyle adaptations (virtually only in primates). We therefore investigated the forelimb epiphyses of extant xenarthrans, the placental mammals including the sloths, anteaters, and armadillos. They are characterised by several lifestyles and degrees of fossoriality involving distinct uses of their forelimb. We used micro computed tomography data to acquire 3D trabecular parameters at regions of interest (ROIs) for all extant genera of xenarthrans (with replicates). Traditional, spherical, and phylogenetically informed statistics (including the consideration of size effects) were used to characterise the functional signal of these parameters. Several trabecular parameters yielded functional distinctions. The main direction of the trabeculae distinguished lifestyle categories for one ROI (the radial trochlea). Among the other trabecular parameters, it is the degree of anisotropy (i.e., a preferential alignment of the trabeculae) that yielded the clearest functional signal. For all ROIs, the armadillos, which represent the fully terrestrial and fossorial category, were found as characterised by a greater degree of anisotropy (i.e., more aligned trabeculae). Furthermore, the trabeculae of the humeral head of the most fossorial armadillos were also found to be more anisotropic than in the less fossorial species. Most parameters were marked by an important intraspecific variability and by a size effect, which could, at least partly, be masking the functional signal. But for some parameters, the degree of anisotropy in particular, a clear functional distinction was recovered. Along with data on primates, our findings suggest that a trabecular architecture characterised by a greater degree of anisotropy is to be expected in species in which the relevant epiphyses withstand a restricted range of load directions. Trabecular architecture therefore is a promising research avenue for the reconstruction of lifestyles in extinct or cryptic species.

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Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 41 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
Unknown 41 100%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Ph. D. Student 8 20%
Student > Bachelor 8 20%
Researcher 4 10%
Student > Postgraduate 4 10%
Student > Doctoral Student 3 7%
Other 6 15%
Unknown 8 20%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 17 41%
Earth and Planetary Sciences 7 17%
Environmental Science 2 5%
Psychology 1 2%
Medicine and Dentistry 1 2%
Other 1 2%
Unknown 12 29%
Attention Score in Context

Attention Score in Context

This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 4. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 07 December 2017.
All research outputs
#6,808,707
of 23,009,818 outputs
Outputs from Frontiers in Zoology
#339
of 655 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#133,642
of 438,562 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Frontiers in Zoology
#7
of 13 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 23,009,818 research outputs across all sources so far. This one has received more attention than most of these and is in the 70th percentile.
So far Altmetric has tracked 655 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a lot more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 20.9. This one is in the 47th percentile – i.e., 47% of its peers scored the same or lower than it.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 438,562 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 69% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 13 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one is in the 46th percentile – i.e., 46% of its contemporaries scored the same or lower than it.