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Postcranial evidence of late Miocene hominin bipedalism in Chad

Author

Listed:
  • G. Daver

    (Université de Poitiers, CNRS)

  • F. Guy

    (Université de Poitiers, CNRS)

  • H. T. Mackaye

    (Université de N’Djaména)

  • A. Likius

    (Université de N’Djaména
    Académie de l’Education Nationale du Nord (Faya))

  • J. -R. Boisserie

    (Université de Poitiers, CNRS
    CNRS and French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)

  • A. Moussa

    (Université de N’Djaména)

  • L. Pallas

    (Université de Poitiers, CNRS)

  • P. Vignaud

    (Université de Poitiers, CNRS)

  • N. D. Clarisse

    (Centre National de Recherche pour le Développement (CNRD))

Abstract

Bipedal locomotion is one of the key adaptations that define the hominin clade. Evidence of bipedalism is known from postcranial remains of late Miocene hominins as early as 6 million years ago (Ma) in eastern Africa1–4. Bipedality of Sahelanthropus tchadensis was hitherto inferred about 7 Ma in central Africa (Chad) based on cranial evidence5–7. Here we present postcranial evidence of the locomotor behaviour of S. tchadensis, with new insights into bipedalism at the early stage of hominin evolutionary history. The original material was discovered at locality TM 266 of the Toros-Ménalla fossiliferous area and consists of one left femur and two, right and left, ulnae. The morphology of the femur is most parsimonious with habitual bipedality, and the ulnae preserve evidence of substantial arboreal behaviour. Taken together, these findings suggest that hominins were already bipeds at around 7 Ma but also suggest that arboreal clambering was probably a significant part of their locomotor repertoire.

Suggested Citation

  • G. Daver & F. Guy & H. T. Mackaye & A. Likius & J. -R. Boisserie & A. Moussa & L. Pallas & P. Vignaud & N. D. Clarisse, 2022. "Postcranial evidence of late Miocene hominin bipedalism in Chad," Nature, Nature, vol. 609(7925), pages 94-100, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:609:y:2022:i:7925:d:10.1038_s41586-022-04901-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04901-z
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