Ecogeographical patterning and stature prediction in fossil hominids: Comment on M.R. Feldesman and R.L. Fountain,American Journal of Physical Anthropology (1996) 100:207-224

Variation in limb proportions between prehistoric Jomon and Yayoi people of Japan are explored by this study. Jomon people were the descendents of Pleistocene nomads who migrated to the Japanese Islands around 30,000 yBP. Phenotypic and genotypic evidence indicates that Yayoi people were recent migrants to Japan from continental Northeast Asia who likely interbred with Jomon foragers. Limb proportions of Jomon and Yayoi people were compared using RMA regression and "Quick-Test" calculations to investigate relative variability between these two groups. Cluster and principal components analyses were performed on size-standardized limb lengths and used to compare Jomon and Yayoi people with other groups from various climatic zones. Elongated distal relative to proximal limb lengths were observed among Jomon compared to Yayoi people. Jomon limb proportions were similar to human groups from temperate/tropical climates at lower latitudes, while Yayoi limb proportions more closely resemble groups from colder climates at higher latitudes. Limb proportional similarities with groups from warmer environments among Jomon foragers likely reflect morphological changes following Pleistocene colonization of the Japanese Islands. Cold-derived limb proportions among the Yayoi people likely indicate retention of these traits following comparatively recent migrations to the Japanese Islands. Changes in limb proportions experienced by Jomon foragers and retention of cold-derived limb proportions among Yayoi people conform to previous findings that report changes in these proportions following long-standing evolution in a specific environment.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Variation in limb proportions between Jomon foragers and Yayoi agriculturalists from prehistoric Japan

Temple

Auerbach

Nakatsukasa

et al. 2008

“…Thus, anatomical techniques have advantages, even in this situation that is ''ideal'' for the mathematical technique. In situations where body proportions cannot be matched with a particular reference sample, estimation errors using long bone regression techniques will be even greater (Lundy, 1983;Holliday and Ruff, 1997;Auerbach et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many authors, including Gleser (1952, 1958), cautioned against using stature regression formulae derived from one population for other populations (Pearson, 1899;Stevenson, 1929;Dupertuis and Hadden, 1951). Human proportions vary systematically between populations (Eveleth and Tanner, 1976;Ruff, 1994;Holliday, 1997;Holliday and Ruff, 1997), and so the most accurate mathematical estimates of stature will be obtained when the population being investigated is as similar as possible in proportions to the population used to create the formulae (Holliday and Ruff, 1997). Long bone regression equations based on populations with a variety of body proportions have been developed (Telkka, 1950;Allbrook, 1961;Genoves, 1967;Olivier, 1976;Lundy, 1983;Sjovold, 1990;Radoinova et al, 2002).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Revision of the Fully technique for estimating statures

Raxter

Auerbach

Ruff

2006

Self Cite

237

350

The "anatomical" method of Fully (1956 Ann. Legale Med. 35:266-273) for reconstructing stature, involving the addition of skeletal elements from the calcaneus to the skull, has been increasingly used in anthropological and forensic contexts, but has undergone little systematic testing on samples other than the original sample used to develop the technique. The original description by Fully of the method also does not provide completely explicit directions for taking all of the necessary measurements. This study tested the accuracy and applicability of his method, and clarified measurement procedures. The study sample consisted of 119 adult black and white males and females of known cadaveric statures from the Terry Collection. Cadaveric statures were adjusted to living statures, following the recommendations of Trotter and Gleser (1952 Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 10:469-514). We obtained the best results using maximum vertebral body heights (anterior to the pedicles) and measurement of the articulated talus and calcaneus height in anatomical position. Statures derived using the original Fully technique are strongly correlated with living statures in our sample (r = 0.96), but underestimate living stature by an average of about 2.4 cm. Anatomical considerations also suggest that the correction factors applied by Fully to convert summed skeletal height to living stature are too small. New formulae are derived to calculate living stature from skeletal height. There is no effect of sex or ancestry on stature prediction. Resulting stature estimates are accurate to within 4.5 cm in 95% of the individuals in our sample, with no directional bias.

“…While the crural index is not a perfect indicator of relative limb length to stature, the two are significantly correlated , and there are also other indications that KNM-WT fits a modern ''tropical'' body build (i.e., linear, with relatively long extremities) better than a higher latitude body build . We have previously argued strongly for use of an appropriately matched reference sample in terms of relative limb proportions when estimating stature Holliday and Ruff, 1997;Auerbach and Ruff, 2004). Ecogeographic differences in body proportions are expressed in juveniles as well as adults Ruff et al, 2002).…”

Section: Knm-wt 15000mentioning

confidence: 99%

Body size prediction from juvenile skeletal remains

Ruff

2007

188

227

There are currently no methods for predicting body mass from juvenile skeletal remains and only a very limited number for predicting stature. In this study, stature and body mass prediction equations are generated for each year from 1 to 17 years of age using a subset of the Denver Growth Study sample, followed longitudinally (n = 20 individuals, 340 observations). Radiographic measurements of femoral distal metaphyseal and head breadth are used to predict body mass and long bone lengths are used to predict stature. In addition, pelvic bi-iliac breadth and long bone lengths are used to predict body mass in older adolescents. Relative prediction errors are equal to or smaller than those associated with similar adult estimation formulae. Body proportions change continuously throughout growth, necessitating age-specific formulae. Adult formulae overestimate stature and body mass in younger juveniles, but work well in 17-year-olds from the sample, indicating that in terms of body proportions they are representative of the general population. To illustrate use of the techniques, they are applied to the juvenile Homo erectus (ergaster) KNM-WT 15000 skeleton. New body mass and stature estimates for this specimen are similar to previous estimates derived using other methods. Body mass estimates range from 50 to 53 kg, and stature was probably slightly under 157 cm, although a precise stature estimate is difficult to determine due to differences in linear body proportions between KNM-WT 15000 and the Denver reference sample.