The Pelvis and Femur of Ardipithecus ramidus: The Emergence of Upright Walking

摘要

Virtually no other primate has a human-like pelvic girdle-not even our closest living relatives, the chimpanzee and bonobo. Such uniqueness evolved via substantial modifications of a pelvis more originally suited for life in trees. This arboreal primate heritage has left us rather ungainly. Our legs are massive because they continue to house almost all of the muscles originally required for climbing.