Why is there a debate about Australopithecus afarensis bipedalism?

Expert Solution

Bipedalism is a kind of movement by terrestrial organism on land by a pair legs or limbs. Researchers studied the evolution of bipedalism mechanism and developed many theories. They used various kinds of fossil records to illustrate the correct strategy. One of the part of research is covered by Australopithecus afarensis bipedalism.

Australopithecus afarensis is considered as most abundant source of early bipedalism which lived between approximately 4 and 2.8 million year ago. One of the species A. afarensis postcranial parts exhibited hip, knee, and foot morphology which gives the idea of direct relation with bipedalism. A 27 meter long set of footprints named as the “Laetoli Tracks in Tanzania” of Australopithecus afarensis was also observed. By the analysis of this track of Australopithecus afarensis it is cleared that they walk with a strong heel strike and follow with the ball of the foot and have hallux which makes last contact with the ground before leaving from there. Evidences are also established from these prints that they have gap between hallux and the toes. This hallux have comparatively relations with the gap of modern human leg.

Australopithecus africanus also gave many ideas of bipedalism in them like: bicondylar angle, an anteriorly placed foramen magnum, longer femoral necks and heads, laterally flaring iliac blades and the presence of a lumbar curve. Mainly savanna areas near a lake are considered as their habitats.

The fossil record of them gave a huge idea that, these animals have direct relation with bipedalism which is diverse research and debate topic for comparison with modern human walking pattern.

gladiator answered 1 year ago

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