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Uniqueness of primate forelimb posture during quadrupedal locomotion.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Larson, SG; Schmitt, D; Lemelin, P; Hamrick, M
Published in: American journal of physical anthropology
May 2000

Among the characteristics that are thought to set primate quadrupedal locomotion apart from that of nonprimate mammals are a more protracted limb posture and larger limb angular excursion. However, kinematic aspects of primate or nonprimate quadrupedal locomotion have been documented in only a handful of species, and more widely for the hind than the forelimb. This study presents data on arm (humerus) and forelimb posture during walking for 102 species of mammals, including 53 nonhuman primates and 49 nonprimate mammals. The results demonstrate that primates uniformly display a more protracted arm and forelimb at hand touchdown of a step than nearly all other mammals. Although primates tend to end a step with a less retracted humerus, their total humeral or forelimb angular excursion exceeds that of other mammals. It is suggested that these features are components of functional adaptations to locomotion in an arboreal habitat, using clawless, grasping extremities.

Duke Scholars

Published In

American journal of physical anthropology

DOI

EISSN

1096-8644

ISSN

0002-9483

Publication Date

May 2000

Volume

112

Issue

1

Start / End Page

87 / 101

Related Subject Headings

  • Primates
  • Posture
  • Mammals
  • Locomotion
  • Humerus
  • Forelimb
  • Anthropology
  • Animals
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • 4401 Anthropology
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Larson, S. G., Schmitt, D., Lemelin, P., & Hamrick, M. (2000). Uniqueness of primate forelimb posture during quadrupedal locomotion. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 112(1), 87–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(200005)112:1<87::aid-ajpa9>3.0.co;2-b
Larson, S. G., D. Schmitt, P. Lemelin, and M. Hamrick. “Uniqueness of primate forelimb posture during quadrupedal locomotion.American Journal of Physical Anthropology 112, no. 1 (May 2000): 87–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(200005)112:1<87::aid-ajpa9>3.0.co;2-b.
Larson SG, Schmitt D, Lemelin P, Hamrick M. Uniqueness of primate forelimb posture during quadrupedal locomotion. American journal of physical anthropology. 2000 May;112(1):87–101.
Larson, S. G., et al. “Uniqueness of primate forelimb posture during quadrupedal locomotion.American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 112, no. 1, May 2000, pp. 87–101. Epmc, doi:10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(200005)112:1<87::aid-ajpa9>3.0.co;2-b.
Larson SG, Schmitt D, Lemelin P, Hamrick M. Uniqueness of primate forelimb posture during quadrupedal locomotion. American journal of physical anthropology. 2000 May;112(1):87–101.
Journal cover image

Published In

American journal of physical anthropology

DOI

EISSN

1096-8644

ISSN

0002-9483

Publication Date

May 2000

Volume

112

Issue

1

Start / End Page

87 / 101

Related Subject Headings

  • Primates
  • Posture
  • Mammals
  • Locomotion
  • Humerus
  • Forelimb
  • Anthropology
  • Animals
  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • 4401 Anthropology