This function returns body mass estimates for quadrupeds using humeral and/or femoral circumferences (intended for non-avian dinosaurs)
quadrupeds(HC, FC, QE_MR.eq = "raw", data = NULL)a value or vector representing humeral circumference (in mm)
a value or vector representing femoral circumference (in mm)
desired estimation equations to used by QE and MR. Two possible choices. "raw" is default
an optional object of class = "data.frame" or class = "matrix"
11 numeric values or columns are returned (all masses are in grams):
A numeric value or vector of mass estimates using QE (bivariate regression)
A numeric value or vector representing the upper prediction error of the QE based on that derived for the specific equation by Campione and Evans (2012)
A numeric value or vector representing the lower prediction error of the QE
A numeric value or vector of mass estimates using qQE (quadratic equation)
A numeric value or vector representing the upper prediction error of qQE derived for the specific equation in Campione (in review)
A numeric value or vector representing the lower prediction error of qQE
A numeric value or vector of mass estimates using MR (multiple regression)
A numeric value or vector representing the upper prediction error of the MR based on that derived for the specific equation by Campione and Evans (2012)
A numeric value or vector representing the lower prediction error of the MR
A numeric value or vector of mass estimates using Anderson et al. (1985)
A numeric value or vector of mass estimates using Mazzetta et al. (2004)
This function returns estimates from five equations intented for terrestrial quadrupeds (in particular non-avian dinosaurs): two from Campione and Evans (2012) based on bivariate and multiple regression approaches; a quadratic view of the bivariate regression (Campione in review); Anderson et al. (1985); Mazzetta et al. (2004). For more details please see the specific functions.
If a data object is specified, the mass estiamtes and additional results will be added as columns to the data.frame or matrix within that object.
Anderson, J. F., Hall-Martin, A. and Russell, D. A. (1985) Long-bone circumference and weight in mammals, birds and dinosaurs. Journal of the Zoological Society of London A, 207, 53-61.
Campione, N. E. and Evans, D. C. (2012) A universal scaling relationship between body mass and proximal limb bone dimensions in quadrupedal terrestrial tetrapods. BMC Biology, 10, 60.
Campione, N. E. (2017) Extrapolation of a universal scaling relationship for estimating body masses in extinct terrestrial vertebrates. Paleobiology, 43, 693-699.
Mazzetta, G. V., Christiansen, P. and Farina, R. A. (2004) Giants and bizzares: body size of some southern South American Cretaceous dinosaurs. Historical Biology, 16, 71-83.