Table 2 Method for assigning reliability in trait assessments for all traits.
From: Functional traits of the world’s late Quaternary large-bodied avian and mammalian herbivores
Reliability rank | Diet | Mass | Habitat | Fermentation & Limb morphology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | Expert opinion Imputed Inferred from ___: Genus, habitat associations | Expert Opinion Imputed Method unknown Method uncertain Inferred from ___: relative of suggested similar size Extant species (method unknown, presume measured) | Expert opinion Imputed Inferred from ___: Family, Genus, absence of evidence, co-occurring species | Proxy isotopes ____: (δ13C, δ18O, δ15N) Proxy ___ morphology: craniodental, appendicular Inferred from ____: diet, Class, Infraclass, Order |
1 | Functional ___ morphology: craniodental, appendicular Observed low sample size (1–5) ___: dental bolus/coprolite | Functional isometric relationship (____): bone size, shoulder height, teeth size etc. | Functional ____ morphology: craniodental, appendicular Observed low (1–5) sample size ___: dental bolus, coprolite, foraging, fecal analysis, stomach-contents, DNA metabarcoding | Inferred from ____: Suborder, sister Families |
2 | Proxy ___: isotopes (δ13C, δ18O, δ15N, etc), dental wear (mesowear, microwear) | Proxy allometric relationship (___): bone size, shoulder height, teeth size etc, Proxy volumetric estimate | Inferred from ___: habitat association, vegetation association | Inferred from ___: Subfamily, Family |
3 | Observed ___: Fecal analysis, stomach-contents, coprolites, foraging observations, dental bolus, DNA metabarcoding | Observed measured body mass | Observed ___: foraging observations, habitat use | Observed ___: Species, Genus |
