Rib cage anatomy in Homo erectus suggests a recent evolutionary origin of modern human body shape

Bastir, Markus; García‐Martínez, Daniel; Torres-Tamayo, Nicole; Palancar, Carlos A.; Beyer, Benoît; Barash, Alon; Villa, Chiara; Sanchis‐Gimeno, Juan A.; Riesco-López, Alberto; Nalla, Shahed; Torres-Sánchez, Isabel; García‐Río, Francisco; Been, Ella; Gómez‐Olivencia, Asier; Haeusler, Martin; Williams, Scott A.; Spoor, Fred

doi:10.1038/s41559-020-1240-4

Cited by 29 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Also, in Neandertals a smaller lumbar lordosis (hypolordosis) is discussed and could be particularly relevant with respect to trunk morphology as it directly affects the position and orientation of the sacrum and, thus, the pelvis 12 – 14 . The potential adaptive significance and functional implications of these features in hominin trunk evolution are not well understood and have been discussed in the context of thermo-regulatory 15 , digestive 16 , respiratory 3 , and locomotor functions 17 . Here, we focus on the latter two aspects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in human 3D trunk shape and its functional implications in hominin evolution

Bastir

Ruiz

Rueda

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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This study investigates the contribution of external trunk morphology and posture to running performance in an evolutionary framework. It has been proposed that the evolution from primitive to derived features of torso shape involved changes from a mediolaterally wider into a narrower, and antero-posteriorly deeper into a shallower, more lightly built external trunk configuration, possibly in relation to habitat-related changes in locomotor and running behaviour. In this context we produced experimental data to address the hypothesis that medio-laterally narrow and antero-posteriorly shallow torso morphologies favour endurance running capacities. We used 3D geometric morphometrics to relate external 3D trunk shape of trained, young male volunteers (N = 27) to variation in running velocities during different workloads determined at 45–50%, 70% and 85% of heart rate reserve (HRR) and maximum velocity. Below 85% HRR no relationship existed between torso shape and running velocity. However, at 85% HRR and, more clearly, at maximum velocity, we found highly statistically significant relations between external torso shape and running performance. Among all trained subjects those with a relatively narrow, flat torso, a small thoracic kyphosis and a more pronounced lumbar lordosis achieved significantly higher running velocities. These results support the hypothesis that external trunk morphology relates to running performance. Low thoracic kyphosis with a flatter ribcage may affect positively respiratory biomechanics, while increased lordosis affects trunk posture and may be beneficial for lower limb biomechanics related to leg return. Assuming that running workload at 45–50% HRR occurs within aerobic metabolism, our results may imply that external torso shape is unrelated to the evolution of endurance running performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in human 3D trunk shape and its functional implications in hominin evolution

Bastir

Ruiz

Rueda

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…, skeletal mechanical function Godinho, Fitton, et al, 2018;Godinho, Spikins, & O'Higgins, 2018), respiratory function (Bastir et al, 2015;Bastir et al, 2020;García-Martínez et al, 2018;Wroe et al, 2018), heat-induced dental morphological changes (Godinho et al, 2019;Sandholzer et al, 2013;Sandholzer et al, 2014) and to reconstruct incomplete specimens (Godinho et al, 2020;Gunz et al, 2009;Gunz et al, 2020;O'Higgins et al, 2019).…”

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confidence: 99%

Testing the reliability of CT scan‐based dental wear magnitude scoring

Godinho

Gonçalves

2021

American J Phys Anthropol

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Objectives Digital models are now frequently used in biological anthropology (bioanthropology) research. Despite several studies validating this type of research, none has examined if the assessment of dental wear magnitude based on Computerized Tomography (CT) scans is reliable. Thus, this study aims to fill this gap and assess if dental wear magnitude scoring based on CT scans provides results consistent with scoring based on direct observation of the physical specimens. Materials and Methods Dental wear magnitude from 412 teeth of 35 mandibles originating from the Portuguese Muge and Sado Mesolithic shell‐middens was scored. The mandibles were also CT scanned and visualized using 3D Slicer. CT scan‐based scoring of dental wear magnitude was then undertaken. Two scoring rounds were undertaken for each observation method (totaling four scoring rounds) and an intra‐observer error test was performed. The averaged results of the two observation methods were compared via boxplots with paired cases. Results Intra‐observer error was negligible and non‐significant. Scoring results are comparable between the two observation methods. Notwithstanding, some differences were found, in which CT scan assessment generally overestimates dental wear when compared to direct observation. Discussion Our results generally validate the use of CT scans in studies of dental wear magnitude. Notwithstanding several caveats relating to CT scanning and visualization limitations should be considered to avoid over or under‐estimation of dental wear.

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“…Stocky bodies (high body mass index, combined with nonmodern body proportions) have been proposed for some Early Pleistocene hominins, based on the information from the Gona pelvis (52) and supported by recent estimations of Kenia National Museum-West Turkana (KNM-WT) 15,000 body size (53). Previous researchers also noticed in Neanderthal ribs and vertebrae some plesiomorphic features likely inherited from H. erectus, such as the rounder cross section, the lack of torsion of the lower ribs (22,54,55), and the more dorsal orientation of the transverse processes (21,55). A recent reconstruction of the Nariokotome ribcage shows that thoracic features such as the deep and short thorax of Neanderthals are already found in H. erectus/ergaster (55).…”

Section: Implications and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Previous researchers also noticed in Neanderthal ribs and vertebrae some plesiomorphic features likely inherited from H. erectus, such as the rounder cross section, the lack of torsion of the lower ribs (22,54,55), and the more dorsal orientation of the transverse processes (21,55). A recent reconstruction of the Nariokotome ribcage shows that thoracic features such as the deep and short thorax of Neanderthals are already found in H. erectus/ergaster (55). This evidence supports the hypothesis that the Neanderthal thorax, linked to a massive body, is (at least partially) inherited from their Early Pleistocene ancestors (text S6).…”

Section: Implications and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Early development of the Neanderthal ribcage reveals a different body shape at birth compared to modern humans

et al. 2020

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Ontogenetic studies provide clues for understanding important paleobiological aspects of extinct species. When compared to that of modern humans, the adult Neanderthal thorax was shorter, deeper, and wider. This is related to the wide Neanderthal body and is consistent with their hypothetical large requirements for energy and oxygen. Whether these differences were already established at birth or appeared later during development is unknown. To delve into this question, we use virtual reconstruction tools and geometric morphometrics to recover the 3D morphology of the ribcages of four Neanderthal individuals from birth to around 3 years old: Mezmaiskaya 1, Le Moustier 2, Dederiyeh 1, and Roc de Marsal. Our results indicate that the comparatively deep and short ribcage of the Neanderthals was already present at birth, as were other skeletal species-specific traits. This morphology possibly represents the plesiomorphic condition shared with Homo erectus, and it is likely linked to large energetic requirements.

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Rib cage anatomy in Homo erectus suggests a recent evolutionary origin of modern human body shape

Cited by 29 publications

References 71 publications

Variation in human 3D trunk shape and its functional implications in hominin evolution

Variation in human 3D trunk shape and its functional implications in hominin evolution

Testing the reliability of CT scan‐based dental wear magnitude scoring

Early development of the Neanderthal ribcage reveals a different body shape at birth compared to modern humans

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