Mosaic morphology in the thorax of Australopithecus sediba

Peter Schmid; Steven E. Churchill; Shahed Nalla; Eveline Weissen; Kristian J. Carlson; Darryl J. De Ruiter; Lee R. Berger

doi:10.1126/science.1234598

Mosaic morphology in the thorax of Australopithecus sediba

Peter Schmid, Steven E. Churchill, Shahed Nalla, Eveline Weissen, Kristian J. Carlson, Darryl J. De Ruiter, Lee R. Berger

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The shape of the thorax of early hominins has been a point of contention for more than 30 years. Owing to the generally fragmentary nature of fossil hominin ribs, few specimens have been recovered that have rib remains complete enough to allow accurate reassembly of thoracic shape, thus leaving open the question of when the cylindrical-shaped chest of humans and their immediate ancestors evolved. The ribs of Australopithecus sediba exhibit a mediolaterally narrow, ape-like upper thoracic shape, which is unlike the broad upper thorax of Homo that has been related to the locomotor pattern of endurance walking and running. The lower thorax, however, appears less laterally flared than that of apes and more closely approximates the morphology found in humans.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1234598
Number of pages	1
Journal	Science
Volume	340
Issue number	6129
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1234598
Publication status	Published - 12 Apr 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Multidisciplinary

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abstract = "The shape of the thorax of early hominins has been a point of contention for more than 30 years. Owing to the generally fragmentary nature of fossil hominin ribs, few specimens have been recovered that have rib remains complete enough to allow accurate reassembly of thoracic shape, thus leaving open the question of when the cylindrical-shaped chest of humans and their immediate ancestors evolved. The ribs of Australopithecus sediba exhibit a mediolaterally narrow, ape-like upper thoracic shape, which is unlike the broad upper thorax of Homo that has been related to the locomotor pattern of endurance walking and running. The lower thorax, however, appears less laterally flared than that of apes and more closely approximates the morphology found in humans.",

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AU - De Ruiter, Darryl J.

AU - Berger, Lee R.

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Mosaic morphology in the thorax of Australopithecus sediba

Abstract

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