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Adaptive values of bipedalism
Author(s) -
Snyder Richard C.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330260204
Subject(s) - bipedalism , inertia , neuroscience , computer science , biology , classical mechanics , physics , anatomy
The adaptive significance of the multiple evolution of bipedalism is surveyed and discussed. Probable modes of origin and the relative advantages of saltatorial and alternating gaits are expressed in terms of foot stability, speed of progression, directional changes, control of momentum and overcoming body inertia. It is suggested that analysis of primate locomotion by high‐speed cinematography is a necessary basic step toward correlation of structure with behavior.