Trabecular Bone Structure Correlates with Hand Posture and Use in Hominoids

摘要: Bone is capable of adapting during life in response to stress. Therefore, variation locomotor and manipulative behaviours across extant hominoids may be reflected differences trabecular bone structure. The hand a promising region for analysis, as it the direct contact between individual environment joint positions at peak loading vary amongst hominoids. Building upon traditional volume interest-based analyses, we apply whole-epiphysis analytical approach using high-resolution microtomographic scans hominoid third metacarpal investigate whether structure reflects posture knuckle-walking (Gorilla, Pan), suspensory (Pongo, Hylobates Symphalangus) (Homo) taxa. Additionally, comparative phylogenetic method was used analyse rates evolutionary changes parameters. Results demonstrate that distribution regions greatest stiffness (i.e., Young's modulus) correspond with predicted each behavioural category. In taxa, high are concentrated on palmar or distopalmar head, whereas taxa show greater throughout particularly dorsal region; patterns highest reaction forces. Trabecular characterised by fraction degree anisotropy contrast brachiators. Humans, which primarily manipulation, have low variable anisotropy. Finally, when parameters mapped onto molecular-based phylogeny, change clade. Our results support link inferred behaviour can informative reconstructing fossil primates.