The vertebral column of Australopithecus sediba.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Two partial vertebral columns of Australopithecus sediba grant insight into aspects of early hominin spinal mobility, lumbar curvature, vertebral formula, and transitional vertebra position. Au. sediba likely possessed five non-rib-bearing lumbar vertebrae and five sacral elements, the same configuration that occurs modally in modern humans. This finding contrasts with other interpretations of early hominin regional vertebral numbers. Importantly, the transitional vertebra is distinct from and above the last rib-bearing vertebra in Au. sediba, resulting in a functionally longer lower back. This configuration, along with a strongly wedged last lumbar vertebra and other indicators of lordotic posture, would have contributed to a highly flexible spine that is derived compared with earlier members of the genus Australopithecus and similar to that of the Nariokotome Homo erectus skeleton.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Williams, SA; Ostrofsky, KR; Frater, N; Churchill, SE; Schmid, P; Berger, LR
Published Date
- April 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 340 / 6129
Start / End Page
- 1232996 -
PubMed ID
- 23580532
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1095-9203
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0036-8075
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1126/science.1232996
Language
- eng