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Morphological Forelimb Comparison Between Panthera Leo And Panthera Pardus !

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Scapula Area Index:

Surface area of lateral aspect of scapula relative to scapula length ((√Scapula area)/Scapula length). Higher score Indicates greater relative size of muscles involved in the transfer of forces from the trunk to the forelimbs and in stabilizing the shoulder joint.

P.Leo : 80%

P.Pardus : 76%

Edge : P.Leo 

Scapula Length Index:

Scapula length divided by Forelimb length. Higher score Indicates greater speed of movement via relative proportions of components of the proximal forelimb as well as exertion of greater force from the forelimb.

P.Leo : 33%

P.Pardus : 33%

Edge: Draw 

Scapula Length Index 2 :

Scapula length divided by presacral column length. Higher score Indicates greater speed of movement via relative proportions of components of the proximal forelimb as well as exertion of greater force from the forelimb. 

P.Leo : 22%

P.Pardus : 20%

Edge: P.Leo

Scapula Length Index 3 :

Scapula length divided by humerus length. Higher PC1 score Indicates greater speed of movement via relative proportions of components of the proximal forelimb as well as exertion of greater force from the forelimb.

P.Leo : exact value unknown 

P.Pardus : exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Leo

Deltoid Index:

P.Leo : exact value unknown

P.Pardus : exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Leo

HRI:

It is humerus mediolateral diameter at mid-shaft/humerus length. Robust forelimb bones protect the animal from violent stresses during grappling.

P.Leo : 8%

P.Pardus : 8%

Edge : Draw 

HRI2:

It is humerus anteroposterior diameter at mid-shaft/humerus length. Robust forelimb bones protect the animal from violent stresses during grappling.

P.Leo : 12%

P.Pardus  : 12%

Edge : Draw 

HCSI:

Cross-Section/divided by Length of humerus. A higher score determines a greater Humeral robusticity.

P.Leo : exact value unknown

P.Pardus  : exact value unknown

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Edge : Draw 

HCMI:

Often-used variable in analyses of bone strengths in locomotion. The higher the ratio is, the thicker the Humeral bone is.

P.Leo : 32%

P.Pardus : 29%

Edge : P.Leo

HEI:

The HEI index measures the relative size of wrist stabilizing muscles and well as several grasping muscles in area which facilitate prey grasping. These muscles also likely helps stability, pushing, and agility when legs are on ground.

P.Leo : 26%

P.Pardus : 24%

Edge : P.Leo 

HDWI:

It is Humeral distal width/length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses at the elbow joint. A higher ratio also increases muscle attachement. 

P.Leo : 26%

P.Pardus : 24%

Edge : P.Leo

HCI:

This is a measure of the humerus joint surface size near elbow. Higher PC1 indicate greater forearm mobility and stability during grappling and also likely when feet are on ground during a struggle and the ability to distribute heavier loads.

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22): exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Leo

HCI2:

Humerus Condylar height ratio. Higher PC1 scores indicate greater forearm mobility and stability during grappling and also likely when feet are on ground during a struggle and the ability to distribute heavier loads.

P.Leo : exact value unknown

P.Pardus : exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Leo

HAA:

This is another measure of area of where humerus terminates in elbow. Higher PC1 scores are associated with better grappling and distributing heavier loads.

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22) : exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Leo

Forelimb Proportion Index:

Length of proximal forelimb relative to length of distal forelimb ((Scapula length +Humerus length)/(Radius length + Metacarpal length)). Higher score Indicates greater degree of

morphological specialization for producing large out-forces in the forelimb.

P.Leo : 141%

P.Pardus : 149%

Edge : P.Pardus

Brachial Index:

This measures radius length/humerus length. Lower scores in this ratio indicate greater forelimb muscle mechanical advantage and results in stronger muscles all else being equal.

P.Leo : 91%

P.Pardus : 85%

Edge : P.Pardus 

Brachial Index 2:

This measures ulna length/humerus length. Lower scores in this ratio indicate greater forelimb muscle mechanical advantage and results in stronger muscles all else being equal.

P.Leo : exact value unknown

P.Pardus : exact value unknown 170806dc867d6f660a51e4b370c3474f.png

Edge : P.Pardus 

OMA:

This metrics estimates tricep muscle strength. High values indicate greater ability to push with arms all else being equal. This helps a grappling cat hold prey and also helps a canid push and knock down an opponent. In addition, higher values may indicate greater stability and ability to change direction in a fight as well as greater anatomical mechanical advantage of triceps brachii, an elbow extensor.

P.Leo : 20%

P.Pardus : 19%

Edge : P.Leo

UPCI:

It is ulnar proximal circumference/ulnar length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses. A higher score also increases muscle attachement.

P.Leo : 31%

P.Pardus : 30%

Edge : P.Leo

RPCI:

It is radial proximal circumference/radial length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses. A higher score also increases muscle attachement.

P.Leo : 49%

P.Pardus : 49%

Edge : Draw 

RPWI:

It is radial proximal width/radial length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses. A higher score also increases muscle attachement.

P.Leo : 14%

P.Pardus : 10%

Edge : P.Leo 

URI:

This measures ulna anteroposterior diameter at midshaft divided by ulna length. As mentioned above for humerus and robusticity, a robust ulna resists stresses on bones during fights and increases resistance to bites to the forelimb.

P.Leo : 9%

P.Pardus : 9%

Edge : Draw

RRI: 

This measures radius mediolateral diameter at midshaft divided by radius length. As mentioned above for humerus robusticity, a robust radius resists stresses on bones during fights and increases resistance to bites to the forelimb.

P.Leo : 9%

P.Pardus : 9%

Edge : Draw 

RRI2: 

This measures radius anteroposterior diameter at midshaft divided by radius length. As mentioned above for humerus robusticity, a robust radius resists stresses on bones during fights and increases resistance to bites to the forelimb.

P.Leo : 6%

P.Pardus : 7%

Edge : P.Pardus

RCMI:

Often-used variable in analyses of bone strengths in locomotion. The higher the ratio is, the thicker the radial bone is.

P.Leo : 26%

P.Pardus : 33%

Edge : P.Pardus 

UDCI:

It is ulnar distal circumference/ulnar length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses. A higher score also increases muscle attachement.

P.Leo : 22%

P.Pardus : 16%

Edge : P.Leo  

RAA:

This is another measure of radius where it terminates at wrist. Higher ratios help to reinforce the forelimbs against the stresses encountered by large, struggling prey and to distribute heavier loads.

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22) : exact value unknown

 

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 Edge : P.Leo

RAI:

This is a measure of joint area where radius meets wrist joint. This may indicate larger forces are put on joints either through larger muscles, or external stresses which helps grappling or ability to fight with feet on ground (i.e. ability to quickly change directions, stability, etc.).

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22) : exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Leo

RDCI:

It is radial distal circumference/radial length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses. A higher score also increases muscle attachement.

P.Leo : 49%

P.Pardus : 34%

Edge : P.Leo

RDWI:

It is radial distal width/radial length ratio, correlated with resistance to stresses. A higher score also increases muscle attachement.

P.Leo : 14%

P.Pardus : 8%

Edge : P.Leo

Styloid Width Index:

Styloid width relative to radius length. Higher score indicates greater relative robusticity of distal forelimb.

P.Leo : 30%

P.Pardus : 28%

Edge : P.Leo

PMA:

Length of pisiform relative to length of manus. Higher score Indicates greater anatomical mechanical advantage of flexor carpi ulnaris, a wrist flexor.

P.Leo : 33%

P.Pardus : 31%

Edge : P.Leo

PAW:

This is a measurement of paw width on forelimbs and gives us an idea of how well-paws are designed to hold prey. In addition, relatively wider paws likely increase stability while feet are on ground.

P.Leo : 80%

P.Pardus : 73%

Edge : P.Leo

MCP:

proximal phalanx to metacarpal ratio, more negative PC2 and DF1 scores offer increased surface area for grasping and grappling and greater relative proportions of proximal and distal elements of the manus and size of the palmar surface.

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22) : exact value unknown

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Edge : P.Pardus 

MC3RI:

This measures the robusticity of metacarpal 3 or longest finger/digit. More negative PC1 scores may assist with grappling or stresses exerted with feet on ground during a fight.

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22) : exact value unknown 

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Edge : P.Pardus

MC3AA:

This is a measure of size of metacarpal at joints of finger. Higher PC1 Scores help stabilize the metacarpals against stresses from prey and climbing.

P.Leo(n°20) : exact value unknown

P.Pardus(n°22) : exact value unknown 

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Edge : P.Leo

 

Studies Used For The Above Comparison :

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350241590_Anatomical_Features_of_Some_Bones_of_the_Forelimbs_of_Lions_Panthera_leo_Caracteristicas_Anatomicas_de_Algunos_Huesos_de_los_Miembros_Toracicos_de_Leones_Panthera_leo

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388039059_Insights_on_the_evolution_and_adaptation_toward_high-altitude_and_cold_environments_in_the_snow_leopard_lineage 

 

 

https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi%253A10.5061%252Fdryad.h58q6

 

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298056854_Sexual_selection_on_skeletal_shape_in_Carnivora 

 

 

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7531697_Body_size_ofSmilodon_Mammalia_Felidae

 

 

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Osteology-and-ecology-of-Megantereon-cultridens-a-%E2%80%93-Christiansen-Adolfssen/f5dd2b7f596ef6b84aff81281e97e6f7f75422a6

 

 

 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23720916_Forelimb_Indicators_of_Prey-Size_Preference_in_the_Felidae

 

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302020158_Gross_and_Morphometrical_Studies_on_Radius_and_Ulna_of_The_Leopard_Panthera_pardus

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230843015_Postcranial_morphology_and_the_locomotor_habits_of_living_and_extinct_carnivores 

 

https://publikationen.uni-tuebingen.de/xmlui/handle/10900/48480 

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/20806549_Differential_scaling_of_the_long_bones_in_the_terrestrial_carnivora_and_other_mammals

Everyone knows that a Lion would demolish a Leopard in real life mostly due to huge weight gap between the two in the Lion's favor. However this side by side comparison has shown that the Latter is still likely to be stronger at similar size as most ratios point out to the Lion having overall stronger shoulders, wider Humeral proximal ends, thicker Humeri shafts, wider Humeral distal ends,larger epicondyles,condyles,trochleas, Humeral articular areas,olecrana,wider ulnar proximal, distal ends,radial proximal,distal ends,styloids, longer pisiforms,wider paws and larger metacarpal articular areas while the Leopard simply has relatively shorter forelimbs, longer proximal forelimbs, thicker radii shafts, greater Manus Proportions and more robust metacarpals. Additionally, the Lion owns proportionally more powerfully built backs as extensively shown here :

https://justpaste.it/jv7ep 

The notion that Panthera Leo has a relatively stronger back is consistent because we do have a book claiming that Leopards have relatively more flexible spines in comparison to the massively built spine in Lions :

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https://www.abebooks.com/9780801884825/Cats-Africa-Behavior-Ecology-Conservation-0801884829/plp  

Moreover, Panthera Leo has a proportionally stronger chest as evident from their Larger Girdle Bones :

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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388039059_Insights_on_the_evolution_and_adaptation_toward_high-altitude_and_cold_environments_in_the_snow_leopard_lineage 

Lions also have relatively more robust manubria since they're the only Big Cats stated capable of Approaching Machairodonts in this regard (Leopards are also extensively studied in this article) :

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https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Osteology-and-ecology-of-Megantereon-cultridens-a-%E2%80%93-Christiansen-Adolfssen/f5dd2b7f596ef6b84aff81281e97e6f7f75422a6 

So The Lion basically owns stronger chest muscles, even relatively speaking! The Leopard does have relatively more tightened iliac wings as evident from the smaller angle :

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https://justpaste.it/redirect/37mkg/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fpublication%2F351494900_Variation_in_the_sacroiliac_joint_in_Felidae 

But still, The Lion has overall more strength advantages making it a proportionally stronger and better grappler ! In addition to all this, the Lion would most likely still bite harder at equal size since its skull would still be more robust and its neck would still be greater in terms of relative musculature and cervical robustness : 

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https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/evo.12904 

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https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Osteology-and-ecology-of-Megantereon-cultridens-a-%E2%80%93-Christiansen-Adolfssen/f5dd2b7f596ef6b84aff81281e97e6f7f75422a6 

Even if the Lion can't be decisively considered the current king Of Big Cats because of the Tiger, it is at least the King Of The African Savannah since it outmatched the Stealthy Leopard in terms of relative strength !

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