Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

The ischium and hip extensor mechanism in human evolution

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

|July 1, 1975

Summary

New research challenges the idea that early hominid ischia were long and ape-like. Both gracile and robust australopithecine forms had similar ischium lengths, suggesting comparable hamstring mechanisms for bipedal locomotion.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Knuckle-walking hominid ancestors.

Journal of human evolution·2001

Same author

Cross-sectional morphology of the SK 82 and 97 proximal femora.

American journal of physical anthropology·1999

Same author

Body proportions of Australopithecus afarensis and A. africanus and the origin of the genus Homo.

Journal of human evolution·1998

Same author

Trait list bias and a reappraisal of early hominid phylogeny.

Journal of human evolution·1998

Same author

Hominid dualism.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·1994

Same author

Tempo and mode in human evolution.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·1994

Area of Science:

Paleoanthropology
Primate Anatomy

Background:

The ischium's morphology in early hominids is debated, particularly concerning bipedal efficiency and arboreal adaptations.
Previous interpretations suggested distinct ischial lengths between gracile and robust australopithecines, implying different locomotor strategies.

Observation:

This study re-examines the ischial morphology of South African australopithecine fossils.
Comparative analysis reveals that ischial relative lengths were similar between gracile and robust forms.

Findings:

The relative lengths of the ischium in gracile and robust australopithecines were found to be comparable.
Evidence suggests the hamstring muscle mechanisms were likely very similar in both early hominid forms.

Implications:

Challenges the notion of significantly different ischial adaptations for bipedalism versus arborealism in early hominids.
Suggests that locomotor differences between gracile and robust australopithecines may not be solely attributable to ischial morphology.

Related Experiment Videos