Extreme carpal variability inTeleoceras(Rhinocerotidae, Mammalia)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A large population of the common American Miocene rhinoceros, Teleoceras, shows extreme variability in the shape of the magnum and unciform. A small number of the specimens show a de novo posterior (volar) articulation between these two carpals. The new articulation may have been formed as an early stage in the fusion of the two bones. It is suggested that in order to evolve a complex new structure, a population will sometimes produce more variation in the affected elements than is actually necessary to form the structure.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: