White, M.A., March, 2009. The subarctometatarsus: intermediate metatarsus architecture demonstrating the evolution of the arctometatarsus and advanced agility in theropod dinosaurs. Alcheringa 33, 1-21. ISSN 0311-5518.

The subarctometatarsus is a plesiomorphic form of arctometatarsus. Five individual subarctometatarsalian specimens are examined in this study including Microraptor gui, Sinornithosaurus millenii, Sinovenator changii, Sinovenator sp. and Sinornithoides youngi. Bivariate analysis illustrates a closer relationship between subarctometatarsalians and small theropods possessing the plesiomorphic theropod metatarsus (e.g. Compsognathidae and Archaeopteryx). Reduced major axis (RMA) analysis supported this conclusion but also indicates a distinct statistical difference between the three categories of theropod metatarsus. Additionally, development of the subarctometatarsus is inferred to have been linked to advanced cursoriality as implicated for the arctometatarsus. Structural similarity between the subarctometatarsus and the arctometatarsus portrays a common mechanical function of being able to withstand the forces of high impact with the substrate. Phylogenetic analysis reveals five independent origins of the arctometatarsus.