Raw trait data for: A quantitative genetics analysis of evolution in the hominoid appendicular skeleton

Hominoidea are a diverse superfamily, with potential selection on the
postcranium from divergent locomotor patterns. The scarcity of postcranial
primate fossil remains, however, means that selection on the appendicular
skeleton has been difficult to study directly. Here, we use complementary
methods from evolutionary quantitative genetics to assess selection versus
drift within hominoids and an outgroup of cercopithecoid monkeys. While
most branches were characterized by drift or stabilizing selection,
directional selection was indicated on the branch leading to Homo sapiens
and potentially on the branch to Hylobates lar. Directional selection
gradients were then assessed for each trait on these two lineages. Strong
selection was detected on limb length and on os coxae traits in both
lineages. Our results are consistent with prior studies of evolution in
the hominoid postcranium and indicate that these methods may be useful for
studying multiple elements in conjunction for a holistic assessment of
evolution in the primate skeleton, even in the absence of extensive fossil
data.