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Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
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Vertebral numbers and human evolution.

Scott A Williams1,2, Emily R Middleton1,2, Catalina I Villamil1,2

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, New York, NY, 10003.

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|January 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human evolution involved a short trunk, similar to apes, not a long-backed ancestor. Early hominins show cranial shifting, supporting an African ape-like short trunk and lower back.

Keywords:
Australopithecuslumbarribcagetransitional vertebrazygapophyseal joints

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Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Vertebral number differences in humans and hominoids have been noted since 1699.
  • Interpretations of these differences have varied, with recent debates on whether hominins evolved from
  • long-backed
  • or
  • short-backed
  • ancestors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the vertebral number debate in human evolution.
  • To determine the thoracolumbar configuration of early hominins.
  • To evaluate competing hypotheses on vertebral numbers in hominin ancestry.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of vertebral numbers across hominoid species.
  • Examination of fossil evidence for early hominin thoracolumbar configuration.
  • Review of existing phylogenetic and functional interpretations.

Main Results:

  • Hominins possess a short trunk, characteristic of the Hominoidea clade, similar to great apes.
  • Disparate interpretations of vertebral numbers stem partly from differing definitions of lumbar vertebrae.
  • Early hominins exhibit evidence of
  • cranial shifting
  • , potentially explaining anomalous fossil morphology.

Conclusions:

  • The data support a hominin ancestor with an African ape-like short trunk and lower back.
  • Regardless of lumbar definition, hominins share a short trunk with great apes.
  • Early hominin thoracolumbar configuration is not distinct from modern humans, with cranial shifting as a key factor.