Morpho-functional evolution of the mammalian scapula

The scapula is an element of both the thoracic girdle, providing insertion to the muscles connecting the forelimb to the trunk, and the forelimb, being the most propulsive segment during locomotion. Thus, its functional requirements include both shoulder stabilization and forelimb mobility. The relative importance of those functions, however, varies with forelimb use. Therefore, scapular morphology will be driven by the ecology of an animal as well as the environment in which it lives, whilst also being constrained by evolutionary history and biomechanics. Understanding how all of these factors have come together in
shaping the scapula of extant mammals will give us insight into the extent to which mammals can potentially adapt to environmental change. This project will use statistical shape analysis to assess variation in scapular morphology across a wide range of extant and fossil mammals in order to determine relationships between morphology, ecology and environment. Advanced imaging techniques will be used to reveal the soft tissue anatomy associated with
the scapula. Biomechanical modelling will be used to analyse the relationship between scapular form and function.