Upright walking has driven unique vascular specialization of the hominin ilium.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A novel physis in hominins modulates broadening and shortening of the ilium. We report analysis of a vascular canal system whose origin may be associated with this physis and which appears to be also unique to hominins. Its presence is potentially identifiable in the fossil record by its association with a highly enlarged foramen that is consistently present in modern humans and hominin fossils.

Methods

We measured the diameter of this foramen in humans, fossil hominins, and African great apes and corrected for body size.

Results

The mean relative human foramen diameter is significantly greater than those of either Pan or Gorilla. Moreover, eight of the nine values of the Cohen's d for these differences in ratios are highly significant

SUBMITTER: Zirkle D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8532992 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature