Journal article
B. Zipfel, J. DeSilva, R. Kidd
American journal of physical anthropology, 2009
American journal of physical anthropology, 2009
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APA
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Zipfel, B., DeSilva, J., & Kidd, R. (2009). Earliest complete hominin fifth metatarsal-Implications for the evolution of the lateral column of the foot. American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
Chicago/Turabian
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Zipfel, B., J. DeSilva, and R. Kidd. “Earliest Complete Hominin Fifth Metatarsal-Implications for the Evolution of the Lateral Column of the Foot.” American journal of physical anthropology (2009).
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Zipfel, B., et al. “Earliest Complete Hominin Fifth Metatarsal-Implications for the Evolution of the Lateral Column of the Foot.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2009.
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@article{b2009a,
title = {Earliest complete hominin fifth metatarsal-Implications for the evolution of the lateral column of the foot.},
year = {2009},
journal = {American journal of physical anthropology},
author = {Zipfel, B. and DeSilva, J. and Kidd, R.}
}
Abstract
StW 114/115, from Sterkfontein, South Africa, is the earliest complete hominin fifth metatarsal. Comparisons of StW 114/115 to modern humans, extant apes, and partial hominin metatarsals AL 333-13, AL 333-78, SKX 33380, OH 8, and KNM-ER 803f reveal a similar morphology in all six fossils consistent with habitual bipedality. Although StW 114/115 possesses some primitive characters, the proximal articular morphology and internal torsion of the head are very human-like, suggesting a stable lateral column and the likely presence of lateral longitudinal and transverse tarsal arches. We conclude that, at least in the lateral component of the foot of the StW 114/115 individual, the biomechanical pattern is very similar to that of modern humans. This, however, may not have been the case in the medial column of the foot, as a mosaic pattern of hominin foot evolution and function has been suggested. The results of this study may support the hypothesis of an increased calcaneo-cuboid stability having been an early evolutionary event in the history of terrestrial bipedalism.
