The Functional Anatomy

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The Functional Anatomy and Evolution of Bipedalism
David Strait University at Albany, Dept. of
Anthropology
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What makes us human? Which human
adaptation evolved first?
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Large brain
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Tool-use
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Precision grip
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Language
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Bipedalism
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The functional morphology of bipedalism
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Valgus knee joint
Australopithecus afarensis
Pan troglodytes
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Lumbar curvature (lordosis)
Homo sapiens
Pan troglodytes
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Lumbar curvature (lordosis)
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Large, adducted hallux
Homo sapiens
Pan troglodytes
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Large, adducted hallux Short phalanges
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Large femoral head
Homo sapiens
Pan troglodytes
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Hypotheses explaining the origins of bipedalism
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Tool-use
The earliest hominids pre-date the earliest tools
by 3.5 million years
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Carrying
Carrying hypotheses are very difficult to test.
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Thermoregulation
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Feeding posture
Very difficult to test in the fossil record.
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Locomotor efficiency
Bipedalism in the earliest hominids would have
been inefficient. Would it have been more or less
efficient than alternative modes of locomotion?
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The vertical- climbing hypothesis
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Chimpanzee wrist
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Chimpanzee wrist, lateral view
Flexed
Extended
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Distal radius, palmar view
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Feeding posture
Carrying