The relationship between locomotion and hindlimb morphology in the leopard (Panthera pardus) using a geometric morphometric approach.

Felid bone morphology is highly influenced by factors such as locomotion, body size, and foraging behaviour. Understanding how these factors influence bone morphology is important for interpreting the behaviour and ecology of such species. This study aimed to determine the extent to which Panthera pardus (i.

Ape femoral-humeral rigidities and arboreal locomotion.

Objectives: This study investigates patterns of bone functional adaptations in extant apes through comparing hindlimb to forelimb bone rigidity ratios in groups with varying levels of arboreality.

Materials And Methods: Using CT scans, bone rigidity (J) was calculated at three regions of interest (ROI) along femoral and humeral diaphyses in Homo, Pongo, Pan, and Gorilla with further comparisons made between species and subspecies divisions within Pan and Gorilla.

Results: Consistent with previous work on extant hominoids, species exhibited differences in midshaft femoral to humeral (F/H) rigidity ratios.