Long-Bone Allometry of Terrestrial Mammals and the Geometric-Shape and Elastic-Force Constraints of Bone Evolution

Abstract

A natural similarity in body dimensions of terrestrial animals noticed by ancient philosophers remains the main key to the problem of mammalian skeletal evolution with body mass explored in theoretical and experimental biology and tested by comparative zoologists. We discuss the long-standing problem of mammalian bone allometry commonly studied in terms of the so-called ''geometric'', ''elastic'', and ''static stress'' similarities by McMahon (1973, 1975a, 1975b). We revise the fundamental assumptions underlying these similarities and give new physical insights into geometric-shape and elastic-force constraints imposed on spatial evolution of mammalian long bones.