The calcaneus of Australopithecus afarensis and its implications for the evolution of bipedality

Calcanei from African apes, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that occurred in this bone as a result of the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the cross‐sectional area and volume of the calcane...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physical anthropology 1989-03, Vol.78 (3), p.369-386
Main Authors: Latimer, Bruce, Lovejoy, C. Owen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy & physiology
Animals
Biological Evolution
Biomechanical Phenomena
Bones
Calcaneus - anatomy & histology
Calcaneus - physiology
Evolution
Foot - anatomy & histology
Foot - physiology
Fossils
Gait
Hominid evolution
Hominidae - anatomy & histology
Hominidae - physiology
Humans
Locomotion
Monkeys & apes
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Summary:Calcanei from African apes, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that occurred in this bone as a result of the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the cross‐sectional area and volume of the calcaneal tuber, the geometry and orientation of the articular surfaces, and the surface topography of the calcaneal corpus. Calcaneal morphology is unequivocal in its partitioning of quadrupedal pongids and bipedal hominids.
ISSN:0002-9483
1096-8644
2692-7691
DOI:10.1002/ajpa.1330780306