Data from: Ecomorphology of the African felid ensemble: the role of the skull and postcranium in determining species segregation and assembling history

Morphology of extant felids is regarded as highly conservative. Most
previous studies have focussed on skull morphology, so a vacuum exists
about morphofunctional variation in postcranium and its role in
structuring ensembles of felids in different continents. The African felid
ensemble is particularly rich in ecologically specialized felids. We
studied the ecomorphology of this ensemble using 31 cranial and 93
postcranial morphometric variables measured in 49 specimens of all 10
African species. We took a multivariate approach controlling for
phylogeny, with and without body size correction. Postcranial and skull +
postcranial analyses (but not skull-only analyses) allowed for a complete
segregation of species in morphospace. Morphofunctional factors
segregating species included body size, bite force, zeugopodial lengths
and osteological features related to parasagittal leg movement. A general
gradient of bodily proportions was recovered: lightly built, long-legged
felids with small heads and weak bite forces vs. the opposite. Three loose
groups were recognized: small terrestrial felids, mid-to-large sized
scansorial felids and specialized Acinonyx jubatus and Leptailurus serval.
As predicted from a previous study, the assembling of the African felid
ensemble during the Plio-Pleistocene occurred by the arrival of distinct
felid lineages that occupied then vacant areas of morphospace, later
diversifying in the continent.