Dissertation Research: Joint Structure and Function in Extant Primates and Subfossil Lemurs

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9406621 Christopher Ruff/ Catherine Rafferty This dissertation project is an innovative application of imaging techniques from radiographs to the dynamics and comparisons of joint mechanics of different living and fossil primates. There is substantial evidence that trabecular bone in the subarticular regions of joints respond to alterations in the mechanical environment. By becoming oriented in the direction of the major stresses existing, the boney struts and plates will act to minimize the bending stresses, as one example. This project will examine external and subarticular joint structure in relation to body size and locomotion in a number of primate and other mammalian species, and the results will be applied to the study of osteological specimens of subfossil lemurs in museum collections. Joint surface area and volume will be estimated from external measurements, and the mass, density and distribution of subarticular trabecular bone will be derived using image analysis of the radiographs. The project will also result in the expert and specialized training of a new professional. ***