ramidus was most similar to chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans compared to "non-suspensory" monkeys. What they found - The results showed that Ar. The initial interpretation of this hand suggested the last common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees used a form of locomotion called "above-branch clambering," Prang explains.Ī figure from the study showing the evolution of hands in various hominoids, including humans and Neanderthals. Our understanding of it is predominantly linked to a partial skeleton found in 2009, nicknamed 'Ardi.' Ardipithecus ramidus is a human ancestor that lived nearly 4.4 million years ago. How they did it - Researchers used a sample of 400-plus specimens, encompassing both living primates and ancient hominoid fossils.įirst, researchers analyzed the ancient hand bones of Ardipithecus ramidus, which believers of the disputed hypothesis use to support their idea regarding a quadrupedal last common ancestor. The researchers in this study were skeptical of this idea and wanted to test its merits. Proponents of this hypothesis believe the last common ancestor was more "monkey-like" and less similar to, say, chimpanzees or bonobos. The researchers suggest the ancient ancestor of humans swung from trees like chimps. However, this evidence has given rise to a disputed hypothesis: Humans evolved from a quadrupedal ancestor that used all four limbs for movement on the ground, rather than a bipedal ancestor that suspends from trees.Ī chimpanzee in a tree. Some background - Most scientists recognize that the highly dextrous human hand seems to differ in shape and form from the hands primates use to swing from trees. Prang, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, tells Inverse. "Our findings support the view that humans and chimpanzees evolved from an ancestor that had similarities to modern apes in their locomotor adaptation," lead author Thomas C. What's new - Research published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances suggests the last common ancestor of hominids - a category of great apes that includes chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans - climbed and swung in trees. Before this ancestor experienced an evolutionary shift toward using hands for tools and legs for walking, they likely knuckle-walked on the ground and glided across canopies. The study seemingly resolves a long-standing scientific debate over our ancestor's ability for brachiation - the ability to swing from tree limbs only using one's arms. Tarzan swinging from tree to tree might seem like a Hollywood attempt at imagining the life of primitive men, but new findings suggest our ancient ancestors really were swingers.
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