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Long bone structural proportions and locomotor behavior in Cercopithecidae.
Christopher B Ruff1, Christine M Harper1, Deanna M Goldstein1
1Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Journal of Human Evolution
|June 18, 2019
Summary
Limb bone proportions in cercopithecid monkeys reveal strong links between leaping and bone strength, and climbing and shoulder mobility. These findings offer insights into primate locomotion and fossil interpretations.
Area of Science:
- Primate Paleontology
- Comparative Biomechanics
- Functional Morphology
Background:
- Limb bone proportions correlate with locomotor behaviors across catarrhines.
- Studying closely related species enhances understanding of form-function relationships for fossil taxa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare limb bone proportions (diaphyseal strength, articular surface area/breadth) of the femur and humerus.
- To correlate these proportions with leaping and vertical climbing frequencies in 13 cercopithecid species.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of inter- and intra-limb proportions.
- Statistical correlation between bone measurements and observed locomotor behaviors (leaping, climbing).
Main Results:
- Leaping frequency positively correlates with femoral/humeral diaphyseal strength and articular breadth.
- Climbing frequency shows a positive correlation with humeral head articular surface area/diaphyseal strength.
- A negative association exists between climbing and femoral/humeral head surface area, suggesting greater shoulder mobility in climbers.
Conclusions:
- Bone strength and breadth are key adaptations for leaping in cercopithecids.
- Climbing adaptations in cercopithecids involve enhanced shoulder mobility, differing from hominoid hip kinematics.
- These findings refine our understanding of primate locomotor evolution and its skeletal correlates.
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