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Ecological energetics in early Homo

Publication ,  Journal Article
Pontzer, H
Published in: Current Anthropology
December 1, 2012

Models for the origin of the genus Homo propose that increased quality of diet led to changes in ranging ecology and selection for greater locomotor economy, speed, and endurance. Here, I examine the fossil evidence for postcranial change in early Homo and draw on comparative data from living mammals to assess whether increased diet quality has led to selection for improved locomotor performance in other lineages. Body mass estimates indicate early Homo, both males and females, were approximately 33% larger than australopiths, consistent with archeological evidence indicating an ecological change with the origins of our genus. However, many of the postcranial features thought to be derived in Homo, including longer hind limbs, are present in Australopithecus, challenging the hypothesis that early Homo is marked by significant change in walking and running performance. Analysis of energy budgets across mammals suggests that the larger body mass and increased diet quality in early Homo may reflect an increase in the hominin energy budget. Expanding the energy budget would enable greater investment in reproduction without decreasing energy available for larger brains or increased activity. Food sharing and increased adiposity, which decrease variance in food energy availability, may have been integral to this metabolic strategy. © 2012 by The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research.All rights reserved.

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Published In

Current Anthropology

DOI

ISSN

0011-3204

Publication Date

December 1, 2012

Volume

53

Issue

SUPPL. 6

Related Subject Headings

  • Anthropology
  • 4401 Anthropology
  • 4301 Archaeology
  • 2101 Archaeology
  • 1801 Law
  • 1601 Anthropology
 

Citation

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Pontzer, H. (2012). Ecological energetics in early Homo. Current Anthropology, 53(SUPPL. 6). https://doi.org/10.1086/667402
Pontzer, H. “Ecological energetics in early Homo.” Current Anthropology 53, no. SUPPL. 6 (December 1, 2012). https://doi.org/10.1086/667402.
Pontzer H. Ecological energetics in early Homo. Current Anthropology. 2012 Dec 1;53(SUPPL. 6).
Pontzer, H. “Ecological energetics in early Homo.” Current Anthropology, vol. 53, no. SUPPL. 6, Dec. 2012. Scopus, doi:10.1086/667402.
Pontzer H. Ecological energetics in early Homo. Current Anthropology. 2012 Dec 1;53(SUPPL. 6).
Journal cover image

Published In

Current Anthropology

DOI

ISSN

0011-3204

Publication Date

December 1, 2012

Volume

53

Issue

SUPPL. 6

Related Subject Headings

  • Anthropology
  • 4401 Anthropology
  • 4301 Archaeology
  • 2101 Archaeology
  • 1801 Law
  • 1601 Anthropology