Metatarsophalangeal joints of Australopithecus afarensis

Metatarsophalangeal joints from African pongids, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that accompanied the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the shape and orientation of the metatarsal heads, exc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physical anthropology 1990-09, Vol.83 (1), p.13-23
Main Authors: Latimer, Bruce, Lovejoy, C. Owen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bipedality
Fossils
Hominid evolution
Hominidae - anatomy & histology
Humans
Locomotion
Metatarsal Bones - anatomy & histology
Metatarsophalangeal Joint - anatomy & histology
Osteology
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Summary:Metatarsophalangeal joints from African pongids, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that accompanied the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the shape and orientation of the metatarsal heads, excursion of the metatarsophalangeal joints, and orientation of the basal articular surface of the proximal phalanges. These features unequivocally segregate quadrupedal pongids and bipedal hominids and demonstrate a clear adaptation to terrestrial bipedality in the Hadar pedal skeleton.
ISSN:0002-9483
1096-8644
DOI:10.1002/ajpa.1330830103