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Mediolateral reaction forces and forelimb anatomy in quadrupedal primates: implications for interpreting locomotor behavior in fossil primates.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Schmitt, D
Published in: Journal of human evolution
January 2003

The forelimb joints of terrestrial primate quadrupeds appear better able to resist mediolateral (ML) shear forces than those of arboreal quadrupedal monkeys. These differences in forelimb morphology have been used extensively to infer locomotor behavior in extinct primate quadrupeds. However, the nature of ML substrate reaction forces (SRF) during arboreal and terrestrial quadrupedalism in primates is not known. This study documents ML-SRF magnitude and orientation and forelimb joint angles in six quadrupedal anthropoid species walking across a force platform attached to terrestrial (wooden runway) and arboreal supports (raised horizontal poles). On the ground all subjects applied a lateral force in more than 50% of the steps collected. On horizontal poles, in contrast, all subjects applied a medially directed force to the substrate in more than 75% of the steps collected. In addition, all subjects on arboreal supports combined a lower magnitude peak ML-SRF with a change in the timing of the ML-SRF peak force. As a result, during quadrupedalism on the poles the overall SRF resultant was relatively lower than it was on the runway. Most subjects in this study adduct their humerus while on the poles. The kinetic and kinematic variables combine to minimize the tendency to collapse or translate forelimbs joints in an ML plane in primarily arboreal quadrupedal primates compared to primarily terrestrial quadrupedal ones. These data allow for a more complete understanding of the anatomy of the forelimb in terrestrial vs. arboreal quadrupedal primates. A better understanding of the mechanical basis of morphological differences allows greater confidence in inferences concerning the locomotion of extinct primate quadrupeds.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of human evolution

DOI

EISSN

1095-8606

ISSN

0047-2484

Publication Date

January 2003

Volume

44

Issue

1

Start / End Page

47 / 58

Related Subject Headings

  • Posture
  • Motor Activity
  • Locomotion
  • Haplorhini
  • Fossils
  • Elbow
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Arm
  • Anthropology
  • Animals
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Schmitt, D. (2003). Mediolateral reaction forces and forelimb anatomy in quadrupedal primates: implications for interpreting locomotor behavior in fossil primates. Journal of Human Evolution, 44(1), 47–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0047-2484(02)00165-3
Schmitt, Daniel. “Mediolateral reaction forces and forelimb anatomy in quadrupedal primates: implications for interpreting locomotor behavior in fossil primates.Journal of Human Evolution 44, no. 1 (January 2003): 47–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0047-2484(02)00165-3.
Schmitt, Daniel. “Mediolateral reaction forces and forelimb anatomy in quadrupedal primates: implications for interpreting locomotor behavior in fossil primates.Journal of Human Evolution, vol. 44, no. 1, Jan. 2003, pp. 47–58. Epmc, doi:10.1016/s0047-2484(02)00165-3.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of human evolution

DOI

EISSN

1095-8606

ISSN

0047-2484

Publication Date

January 2003

Volume

44

Issue

1

Start / End Page

47 / 58

Related Subject Headings

  • Posture
  • Motor Activity
  • Locomotion
  • Haplorhini
  • Fossils
  • Elbow
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Arm
  • Anthropology
  • Animals