In: Biology
Describe and compare the skeletal
features (e.g. skull, spine, pelvis, femur, foot, etc...) that are
directly related to locomotion and clearly show whether the species
is quadrupedal or bipedal. Describe how the
skeletal traits are similar or different between these
species:
1) chimpanzees Pan troglodytes
2) Australopithecus afarensis
3) Homo sapiens
Quadruped Vs biped
In simple words a biped means an animal with two feet( humens).
While quadruped is an animal with four feet.This comparison based on their locomotory features.
*Foramen magnum positioned towards the base of the skull in bipedal mammals, but it is absent in human beings.
* Kangaroo ,jerboas all have a more forward shifted foramen magnum compared with their quadrupedal .
* Midline spinal ligaments found in all animals while lateral spinal ligaments only seen in bipedal.which absent in quadrupedal animals.
* ileum is shorter in bipedal and wider expanded front to back,while it is taller and narrower than biped pelvis.
* Biped animals have only one foot while quadruped animals have four foot.
* Chimpanzees p. troglodytes are closet living relatives to humans., and following bipedal system in their locomotion.
* The joints on their leg showing the results for bipedal .So their locomotory system considerd as bipedal.
* Homo sapiens are closely related species to human.And also exhibit the same locomotory system as human ie,Bipedal .