| _version_ | 1866901211922300928 |
|---|---|
| author | Revista, Zen BIOLOGY, 10 |
| author_facet | Revista, Zen BIOLOGY, 10 |
| contents | The origin of habitual bipedalism is a defining characteristic of the hominin lineage, representing one of the most significant evolutionary shifts in primate history. While traditionally viewed as a singular transition, accumulating fossil evidence suggests a more complex, mosaic pattern of locomotor evolution. This paper critically re-evaluates the evidence for early bipedalism, specifically examining the late Miocene hominin textit{Orrorin tugenensis}, dated to approximately 6 million years ago from the Lukeino Formation in Kenya. Discovered skeletal remains, particularly femoral fragments, exhibit a combination of features indicative of both arboreal climbing and upright terrestrial locomotion. A detailed analysis of the textit{Orrorin} femur reveals a cortical bone distribution pattern consistent with bipedal weight-bearing, alongside morphological traits suggesting continued reliance on arboreal behaviors. This unique mosaic anatomical structure challenges earlier hypotheses of a sudden, fully committed bipedalism, instead supporting a scenario where early hominins possessed a diverse, adaptable locomotor repertoire. Crucially, textit{Orrorin}'s distinct combination of features positions it not merely as a transitional form, but as a robust example of an independent and successful evolutionary experiment in bipedality, potentially distinct from other early hominin lineages. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of environmental variability, selective pressures, and the adaptive landscape that shaped hominin origins. Understanding textit{Orrorin}'s unique blend of primitive and derived features is crucial for reconstructing the deep roots of human locomotion and the variable, often divergent, pathways that led to obligate bipedalism. |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17739456 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Mosaic Bipedalism: Orrorin tugenensis and the Deep Roots of Hominin Locomotion Revista, Zen BIOLOGY, 10 The origin of habitual bipedalism is a defining characteristic of the hominin lineage, representing one of the most significant evolutionary shifts in primate history. While traditionally viewed as a singular transition, accumulating fossil evidence suggests a more complex, mosaic pattern of locomotor evolution. This paper critically re-evaluates the evidence for early bipedalism, specifically examining the late Miocene hominin textit{Orrorin tugenensis}, dated to approximately 6 million years ago from the Lukeino Formation in Kenya. Discovered skeletal remains, particularly femoral fragments, exhibit a combination of features indicative of both arboreal climbing and upright terrestrial locomotion. A detailed analysis of the textit{Orrorin} femur reveals a cortical bone distribution pattern consistent with bipedal weight-bearing, alongside morphological traits suggesting continued reliance on arboreal behaviors. This unique mosaic anatomical structure challenges earlier hypotheses of a sudden, fully committed bipedalism, instead supporting a scenario where early hominins possessed a diverse, adaptable locomotor repertoire. Crucially, textit{Orrorin}'s distinct combination of features positions it not merely as a transitional form, but as a robust example of an independent and successful evolutionary experiment in bipedality, potentially distinct from other early hominin lineages. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of environmental variability, selective pressures, and the adaptive landscape that shaped hominin origins. Understanding textit{Orrorin}'s unique blend of primitive and derived features is crucial for reconstructing the deep roots of human locomotion and the variable, often divergent, pathways that led to obligate bipedalism. |
| title | Mosaic Bipedalism: Orrorin tugenensis and the Deep Roots of Hominin Locomotion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17739456 |