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Clavicle length and shoulder breadth in hominoid evolution.

Natalie M Laudicina1,2, Matt Cartmill2,3

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|January 3, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Hominoid clavicle length varies, with humans and Neandertals showing longer clavicles than expected. Despite risks, shoulder breadth has not reduced, likely due to selection pressures favoring longer clavicles in adult hominins, especially males.

Keywords:
AustralopithecusNeandertalsclaviclehuman evolutionparturitionsexual dimorphism

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Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Hominoids possess longer clavicles than monkeys, linked to glenoid reorientation.
  • Clavicle length relative to body mass varies across hominoid species.
  • Modern humans fit the hominoid clavicle length distribution, but extinct hominins show distinct patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate clavicle length and shoulder breadth trends in hominins.
  • To understand evolutionary pressures on hominin skeletal morphology.
  • To explore sexual dimorphism in clavicular growth and allometry.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of clavicle length and body mass across hominoid species.
  • Examination of clavicular allometry in fossil hominins (Neandertals, Upper Paleolithic Homo sapiens).
  • Measurement of shoulder breadth (biacromial breadth) in humans and apes.

Main Results:

  • Neandertals and Upper Paleolithic Homo sapiens exhibit longer clavicles than expected for their size, with positive allometry.
  • Humans have broader shoulders relative to clavicle length compared to apes.
  • Despite birth risks associated with broad shoulders, hominins did not evolve reduced shoulder breadth or clavicle length.

Conclusions:

  • Selection pressures favoring long clavicles in adult hominins likely counteracted risks of shoulder dystocia.
  • Sexual dimorphism in clavicular growth and adult allometry suggests disproportionate effects on males.
  • Hominin shoulder and clavicle morphology reflects a complex interplay of functional and evolutionary factors.