Are long digits correlated with high forepaw dexterity? A comparative testin terrestrial carnivores (Carnivora)

The relationship between manus proportions and forepaw dexterity in 33 spec ies of carnivores (Carnivora) was examined. Both the analysis of "raw" data and independent contrasts revealed no significant correlation between the metacarpal-phalanx (MCP) ratio and forepaw dexterity. This result was corro borated by a common origins test, which indicated that changes in the MCP r atio were not coincident with changes in forepaw dexterity throughout carni vore evolution. Together, these results suggest that the morphological basi s for variations in manipulative behaviour may be quite complex. Other morp hological features, such as manus and carpal shape and myology, may play a critical role in forepaw dexterity, but are not manifested as changes in ma nus proportions. Behavioural observations also suggest that manus proportio ns may be correlated more closely with locomotion rather than non-locomotor y forepaw usage.