Supplementary Dataset for Morphofunctional Analysis of the Forelimb in Caraguatypotherium munozi (Notoungulata, Mesotheriidae)

DescriptionThis dataset was originally developed as part of the author's doctoral thesis at Universidad Austral de Chile (2021). It supports a morphofunctional analysis of the forelimb in Caraguatypotherium munozi (Notoungulata; Mesotheriidae), with a focus on scratch-digging adaptations assessed through biomechanical indicators. Following its initial development, the dataset was revised and validated within the framework of the Fondecyt Iniciación Project Nº 11231111. These data contribute to a comparative framework for morphofunctional reconstructions in extinct mammals and promote reproducibility and further research. The dataset includes raw osteological measurements, calculated functional indices—such as effective mechanical advantage (EMA)—wrist joint mobility (range of motion, RoM), and outputs from principal component analyses (PCA). Comparative data from extant mammals are provided. Contents Supplementary File 1.xlsx – Osteological data, functional indices, and mechanical advantage values for Mesotheriidae and extant mammals This file includes raw and size-corrected osteological measurements, functional limb indices (e.g., Epicondylar Index, Brachial Indices), and mechanical advantage values for elbow and wrist models. Data were collected from fossil mesotheriids and extant mammals and were used in multivariate analyses (PCA) to explore forelimb morphology and digging adaptations. Supplementary File 2.xlsx – Reliability and validity assessment of digitized osteological measurements This file contains two supplementary datasets evaluating the methodological robustness of digital morphometric measurements used in the study. Sheet 1 ("Reliability") reports intraobserver agreement across two digitizing sessions separated by one week, including intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and interpretive categories following Shrout & Fleiss (1979). Sheet 2 ("Validity") presents concurrent criterion validity through Pearson correlation analysis comparing caliper-based direct measurements with digital indirect estimates from images. These validation procedures support the consistency and accuracy of the data used in morphometric and biomechanical analyses of fossil and extant mammals. Supplementary File 3.xlsx – Principal Component Analysis CoordinatesPCA scores and loading values based on osteological and functional variables, used to position taxa within a morphofunctional space. measurement.txt – R Script for PCA on Raw MeasurementsR code for PCA using prcomp and FactoMineR on osteological variables, including data transformation and graphical output. index.txt – R Script for PCA on Functional IndicesR code for PCA on functional indices and EMA values, with clustering and plots of variable contributions.数据集说明 本数据集最初由智利南方大学（Universidad Austral de Chile）的作者于2021年的博士研究中开发完成，旨在支持对Caraguatypotherium munozi（南方有蹄目Notoungulata；中爪兽科Mesotheriidae）前肢的形态功能分析，重点通过生物力学指标评估其刮掘适应性特征。 该数据集在初始开发完成后，于Fondecyt启动项目（Fondecyt Iniciación Project）编号11231111的框架下进行了修订与验证。本数据集为灭绝哺乳动物的形态功能重建提供了比较研究框架，同时助力研究的可重复性与后续拓展研究。 数据集包含原始骨骼测量数据、计算得到的功能指数——如有效机械优势（effective mechanical advantage, EMA）、腕关节活动度（range of motion, RoM）——以及主成分分析（Principal Component Analysis, PCA）的输出结果，同时提供了现生哺乳动物的对比数据。 数据集内容 补充文件1.xlsx —— 中爪兽科与现生哺乳动物的骨骼数据、功能指数及机械优势值 本文件包含原始及体型校正后的骨骼测量数据、肢体功能指数（例如上髁指数、臂指数），以及肘关节与腕关节模型的机械优势值。数据采集自化石中爪兽类与现生哺乳动物，用于多变量分析（主成分分析，PCA）以探究前肢形态与挖掘适应性。 补充文件2.xlsx —— 数字化骨骼测量的信效度评估 本文件包含两份补充数据集，用于评估本研究中数字化形态测量方法的稳健性。 工作表1（"Reliability"）报告了间隔一周的两次数字化操作的观察者内部一致性，包含组内相关系数（intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC）以及遵循Shrout & Fleiss（1979）标准的解释分类。 工作表2（"Validity"）通过皮尔逊相关分析呈现同时效标效度，对比了游标卡尺直接测量值与图像数字化间接估计值。 上述验证流程保障了本研究中用于化石与现生哺乳动物形态计量及生物力学分析的数据的一致性与准确性。 补充文件3.xlsx —— 主成分分析坐标 基于骨骼与功能变量得到的主成分分析得分与载荷值，用于将类群定位至形态功能空间中。 measurement.txt —— 原始测量数据主成分分析R脚本 用于基于骨骼变量进行主成分分析的R代码，使用prcomp与FactoMineR包，包含数据转换与可视化输出。 index.txt —— 功能指数主成分分析R脚本 针对功能指数与有效机械优势（EMA）值进行主成分分析的R代码，包含聚类分析与变量贡献度绘图。