Body proportions in Hyaenidae.

Indexes of skeletal measurements are used to compare body proportions in Hyaenidae, Canidae and Felidae. Hyaena and Crocuta are characterized by a long neck and long forelimbs. The humerus is relatively short and the radius and metacarpal bones are long. In the the os femoris is long and the tibia short. The proportions are adapted to carry large and heavy prey and provide maximum static stability. Proteles cristatus which mainly feeds on termites and insects has the long neck and forelimb in common with the other Hyaenidae, but its hindlimbs are longer and the length of the limbsegments reveals more canid proportions.