Publications [#240040] of Matt Cartmill

Refereed Publications

1. Cartmill, M, The orbital mosaic in prosimians and the use of variable traits in systematics., Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology, vol. 30 no. 2 (January, 1978), pp. 89-114, ISSN 0015-5713 [Gateway.cgi], [doi]
   (last updated on 2024/04/19)

   Abstract:
   Study of 579 skulls, representing all 33 extant prosimian species and several anthropoids, shows that an orbital exposure of the ethmoid occurs in most Malagasy genera. A palatine-lacrimal contact is normal only in Lemur; the zygomatic-lacrimal contact occurs in most lorisiform species. Lepilemur shows possibly significant resemblances to lorisiforms. The vomer appears in the orbit of some ceboids. Cebids are distinguished by a canal running from the orbital apex through the basicranium. It is argued that skull shape and jaw musculature affect the size and shape of certain orbital-mosaic components. Frequencies of traits, rather than typologically 'normal' traits, may be taken as synpomorphies linking different species cladistically.