Uncovering the mosaic evolution of the carnivoran skeletal system

The diversity of vertebrate skeletons is often attributed to adaptations to distinct ecological factors such as diet, locomotion, and sensory environment. Although the adaptive evolution of skull, appendicular skeleton, and vertebral column is well studied in vertebrates, comprehensive investigations of all skeletal components simultaneously are rarely performed. Consequently, we know little of how modes of evolution differ among skeletal components. Here, we tested if ecological and phylogenetic effects led to distinct modes of evolution among the cranial, appendicular, and vertebral regions in extant carnivoran skeletons. Using multivariate evolutionary models, we found mosaic evolution in which only the mandible, hindlimb, and posterior (i.e., last thoracic and lumbar) vertebrae showed evidence of adaptation towards ecological regimes whereas the remaining skeletal components reflect clade-specific evolutionary shifts. We hypothesize that the decoupled evolution of individual skeleta..., , , # Uncovering the mosaic evolution of carnivoran skeletal systems

Give a brief summary of dataset contents, contextualized in experimental procedures and results.

## Description of the data and file structure

data_dryad.csv = csv file with all trait data

Upham_1k_carnivorans.nex = nexus tree file with 1000 carnivoran phylogenies used in the study

All traits measured in mm
 
Geomean = geometric mean of all traits
 
Cranial traits
CBL = condylobasal length
POC = postorbital constriction breadth
ZB = zygomatic breadth
MB = mastoid breadth
AFH = anterior facial height
PFH = posterior facial height
CVH = cranial vault height
PW = palate width
BCL = basicranial length
cran_MRL = molar row length
cran_M1L = first molar length
cran_M1W = first molar width
 
mandibular traits
MAT = moment arm of temporalis
MAM = moment arm of masseter
MAM2 = moment arm of masseter
MOL = molar out-lever
COL = canine out-lever
MW = mandibular width
AMW = anterior mandibular width
man_MRL = molar row length
m...