Tracking the Divisor Between Semi and Full Bipedalism in Human Ancestors
A recent study of fossil shoulder bones from a human ancestor reveals that this ancient relative was still well adapted to living in trees, even after the evolution of bipedalism. Studying features like these helps scientists to better understand when modern humans moved away from a partly arboreal lifestyle and transitioned to living exclusively on the ground.
Science Bulletins is a production of the National Center for Science Literacy, Education, and Technology (NCSLET), part of the Department of Education at the American Museum of Natural History.
Science: Australopithecus afarensis Scapular Ontogeny, Function, and the Role of Climbing in Human Evolution
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338…
California Academy of Sciences: Dikika Research Project
http://research.calacademy.org/anthro…
Tree of Life Web Project: Evolution of the Australopithecines
http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehou…
AMNH: Hall of Human Origins, Lucy
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-…
Institute of Human Origins: Lucy’s Story
http://iho.asu.edu/lucy