Evolution of Human Bipedalism:

1773 Words4 Pages

The Arboreal Ancestry
Recent research has proved to support the hypothesis that one of the hallmarks of human evolution, bipedalism, arose from an arboreal ancestry. As implied, the tree-living ancestor was to have a benefited from a bipedal gait through aided mobility throughout the tree network (Thorpe et. al., 2007). In addition, the use of the upper body in the arboreal ancestor would be helpful in foraging (Stanford 2006). The importance of the arboreal ancestor hypotheses is their relation to the lower body development towards a bipedal posture and gait.

Orangutan Navigation: An Arboreal Hypothesis
As proposed by Thorpe et. al. the importance of unlimited mobility within the canopies provides a selective pressure for the evolution of bipedalism (2007). The basis of the study not only addresses increased mobility, but also increased stability on less stable branches (Thorpe et. al. 2007). Thorpe et. al. proposes that the increased stability on less stable branches is positively correlated to increased mobility (2007). Orangutans exhibit this correlation through their ability to access a wide variety of branches with the aid of the upper limbs (Thorpe et. al. 2007). The study found that 75% of all biped activity individuals would use hands for additional support (Thorpe et. al. 2007). Furthermore, Thorpe et. al. found that 90% of bipedal bouts occurred while supporting with extended hind-limb posture (Thorpe et. al. 2007). Thorpe et. al. evidence proves bipedal posture is widely used as a mechanism of support (2007). A mechanism of support in this case would act as a selective pressure for stability, thus making the bipedal trait a form of stabilizing selection (Thorpe et. al. 2007). Additionally Thorpe et. al. states that...

... middle of paper ...

...nford C. 2006. “Arboreal Bipedalism in Wild Chimpanzees: Implications for the Evolution of Hominid Posture and Locomotion”. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 129:225-231.
6. Schwartz J. 2007. “The Origins of Human Bipedalism”. Science Magazine. 318: 1065.
7. Thorpe S, Holder R, Crompton R. 2007. “Origin of Human Bipedalism As an Adaptation for Locomotion on Flexible Branches”. Science Magazine. 316:1328-1331.
8. Thorpe S, Holder R, Crompton R. 2007. “Response to ‘The Origins of Human Bipedalism’”. Science Magazine. 318: 1065.
9. Videan E, McGrew WC. 2002. “Bipedality in Chimpanzee (Pan trolodytes) and Bonobo (Pan paniscus): Testing Hypotheses on the Evolution of Bipedalism”. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 118: 184-190.
10. Williams S. 2010. “Morphological integration and the evolution of knuckle-walking”. Journal of Human Evolution. 58: 432-440.

Show More
Related

  • Your Inner Fish By Neil Shubin Analysis

    887 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the book, Your Inner Fish, by Neil Shubin he presents the notion of evolution and how we can trace parts that make up the human body back to jellyfish, worms, and even fish. The book not only discusses how we arose to be what we are today, but also the implications our ancestors had on our current body plan. In this essay, I will demonstrate that I have digested the entirety of Shubin’s book by convincing you (dear reader) that everything in our bodies is based on simple changes to already existing systems. To make this case, I will use the evidence of limb development in a vast array of organisms, the four arches found in the embryological stage of development, the structures inside our noses, and how our ears have come about all due to modifications.

    Read More

  • Tool-use in Chimpanzees

    1762 Words  | 4 Pages

    Crickett Sanz, Dave Morgan, & Steve Gulick. "New Insights into Chimpanzees, Tools, and Termites from the Congo Basin." The American Naturalist 164.5 (2004): 56-581. Article. 25 April 2014.

    Read More

  • Sacramento Zoo Observation

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    They have wide chests and their arms are longer than their legs. Chimpanzees’ hands have four long fingers plus an opposable thumb. Their feet have five toes which includes an opposable big toe. Chimpanzees’ can grasp things with both their hands and their feet. Male chimpanzees are larger than female chimpanzees and are slightly sexually dimorphic. Chimpanzees are quadrupeds that typically walk using the soles of feet and the knuckles of their hands. They sometimes walk upright only when they need to use their arms to carry things but this is a rare occurrence. Chimps are also good at brachiating and climbing trees which is where they spend most of their time even when they sleep. Their dental formula is 2.1.2.3. Chimpanzees’ have y5/x4 molars, making them frugivores, and a diastema to fit their upper canines. Their diet includes fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds, smaller mammals, birds, insects, and grubs. When chimps aren’t resting, they can be very active. I enjoyed watching the Chimpanzees’ swing on the ropes and climb up and down the trees. Chimpanzees are

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Through A Window By Dr. Goodall

    574 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dr. Goodall is a well-known British primatologist who has discovered a substantial amount about primates in her many years of research. She has written numerous books, including one that we will be going into depth about called, “Through a Window.” Her book contains personal experiences, research findings, and even pictures to help the readers visualize her scientific breaking moments from her thirty years with the chimpanzees of Gombe. She states that there is are minor differences, and several similarities between humans and the chimpanzees. We will discuss these differences and similarities through their social behavior, intellectual ability, and emotions. To conclude, examine Goodall’s research to adopt what her findings can tell us about our early ancestors, and whether or not her study coincided to the steps of scientific methodology.

    Read More

  • Savanna Theory Versus Aquatic Ape Theory of Human Evolution

    1286 Words  | 3 Pages

    The evolution of man is constantly in question. While we are reasonably sure that modern humans and primates are both related to the same common ancestor, there is constant debate over what initially caused the two species to split into early hominids and apes. According to some, our longest and most popular theory on the division of man and ape is profoundly wrong. However, those same individuals usually offer an equally controversial theory as a substitute, one that is almost impossible to scientifically test or prove. Both the Savanna Theory and the Aquatic Ape Theory offer solutions to how and why humans evolved into bipedal toolmakers. But with enough questioning, each loses its accountability to rhetorical science.

    Read More

  • Australopithecus Afarensis

    608 Words  | 2 Pages

    Australopithecus afarensis existed between 3.9 and 3.0 million years ago. The distinctive characteristics of A. afarensis were: a low forehead, a bony ridge over the eyes, a flat nose, no chin, more humanlike teeth, pelvis and leg bones resembled those of modern man. Females were smaller than males. Their sexual dimorphism was males:females; 1.5. A. afarensis was not as sexually dimorphic as gorillas, but more sexually dimorphic than humans or chimpanzees. A lot of scientists think that Australopithecus afarensis was partially adapted to climbing the trees, because the fingers and toe bones of the species were curved and longer than the ones of the modern human.

    Read More

  • Factors in the Evolution to Bipedalism

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bipedalism is a form of locomotion that is on two feet and is the one factor that separates humans from other forms of hominoids. The first bipeds are believed to have lived in Africa between 5 and 8 million years ago. (Haviland et al. 2011, pg. 78). The evolution to bipedalism resulted in various anatomical changes. To be able to balance on two legs, the skull must be centered over the spinal column. As bipeds evolved, the foramen magnum, the opening at the base of skull for the spinal column, moved from the back of the skull to the center. The spinal column also evolved from a continuous curve to a spine with four concave and convex curves. (Haviland et al. 2011, pgs. 79, 80). Another change was the widening of the pelvis which gives a wider plateau for more balance when walking on two legs.

    Read More

  • The Aquatic Ape Theory

    1338 Words  | 3 Pages

    Around five to seven million years ago in Africa, a man/ape primate ventured about in the wooded areas. (Morgan, 1982) “My thesis is that a branch of this primitive ape-stock was forced by competition from life in the trees to feed on the sea-shores and to hunt for food, shellfish, sea-urchins etc.”, quoted from Alister Hardy. For the need of food, shelter, space, and resources, the hominid relocated from its traditional environment of the tree, toward water. As evident today, many species of monkeys and apes seek these resources in trees. According to Elaine Morgan, the man/ape primates that stayed and continued to survive in the wooded environment millions of years ago, are the direct ancestors of today’s monkey and ape primates, while the ones that chose to move to the water are the direct ancestors of today’s humans. As proposed by AAT, this is the point along the evolutionary line in which humans and ape primates split.

    Read More

  • Sexual Dimorphism and Human Evolution

    2397 Words  | 5 Pages

    Bindon, Jim 2004 Fossil Hominids. ANT 270 Notes. http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/bindon/ant270/lectures/ hominids1.pdf Delson, Eric 1981

    Read More

  • Observing Chimpanzees at The Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest Exhibit at Dallas Zoo

    1579 Words  | 4 Pages

    Grass made up their environment around which they traveled mostly on all fours, on their feet and their knuckles. They stood erect on two feet to walk when using their hands to carry something. I wasn’t surprised to see that there was an enormous termite mound in the middle of their habitat because I had read about it in the anthropology textbook, and how chimps are adept tool users in that they not only construct them, but also use them strategically. With these tools, they reach into the termite hillock and seek out and ingest their newfound grub.

    Read More

  • Scavenger hunt

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    If Shipman is correct and humans evolved from animals that were primarily scavengers, previous explanations for human evolution would have to reviewed and compared to the new evidence. Current understanding of the development of bipedalism as an evolutionary advantage would change. Standing upright would be considered an advantage to finding carcases for scavaging, instead of a predatory reason. This small change in our understanding of human ancestors, would change how human understand themselves. Shipman uses tool and teeth marks on bone and early hominid's physical biology to support her claims.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Behavioral Modernity

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bipedalism is anatomically important because it now demonstrates to us modern day humans the cycle of how we came to be. This skill was vital to human evolution because it differentiates early hominins from apes. By being able to walk further distances, they brought them to a diverse new diet that enabled their brains to get bigger. Bipedal animals usually walk greater distances because less energy is needed with their longer strides. The stone stools show evidence of abstract thinking and it shows the early hominins adapting and using their environment to survive, which is a skill that we as modern humans have surpassed.

    Read More

  • What Makes Us Human?

    1725 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the most important and pivotal physical and biological adaptations that separate humans from other mammals is habitual bipedalism. According to Darwin, as restated by Daniel Lieberman, “It was bipedalism rather than big brains, language, or tool use that first set th...

    Read More

  • Evolution of the Human Diet

    3413 Words  | 7 Pages

    The members of the Homo genus possess a combination of unique features that distinguish them from other related species. At the time that each respective species was alive, they were able to walk upright on two legs, use their large brains for the benefit of their species, and could thrive in many geographically and climatically diverse areas of the world. One of the most mysterious quandaries in science is how the lineage of the Homo genus became so different from their primate relatives. Bipedalism, brain size, and location diversity all have a common link that may explain this difference – dietary evolution allowed humans to adapt to their surroundings, and in turn, become a more advanced species. The Homo diet evolved in relation to food availability and nutritional necessity. With the ability to maintain a proper diet, the species of the Homo genus were able to flourish and advance toward the development of modern Homo sapiens.

    Read More

  • Chimpanzee's and Tool Use

    1332 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hopkins, W. D., et al. "Handedness For Tool Use In Captive Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes): Sex Differences, Performance, Heritability And Comparison To The Wild." Behaviour 146.11 (2009): 1463. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

More about Evolution of Human Bipedalism:

Open Document