Permanent Link:

https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0069808/00001

Material Information

Title:

The bony labyrinth of StW 573 (“Little Foot”): Implications for early hominin evolution and paleobiology

Series Title:

Journal of Human Evolution

Creator:

Beaudet, Amélie
Clarke, Ronald J.
Bruxelles, Laurent
Carlson, Kristian J.
Crompton, Robin
de Beer, Frikkie
Dhaene, Jelle
Heaton, Jason L.
Jakata, Kudakwashe
Tea, Jashashvili
Kuman, Kathleen
McClymont, Juliet
Pickering, Javis R.
Stratford, Dominic

Publisher:

Elsevier

Publication Date:

2019-02

Language:

English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:

Inner Ear ( local )
Semicircular Canals ( local )
Cochlea ( local )
Australopithecus ( local )
Sterkfontein ( local )

Genre:

serial ( sobekcm )

Notes

Abstract:

Because of its exceptional degree of preservation and its geological age of ∼3.67 Ma, StW 573 makes an invaluable contribution to our understanding of early hominin evolution and paleobiology. The morphology of the bony labyrinth has the potential to provide information about extinct primate taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and locomotor behaviour. In this context, we virtually reconstruct and comparatively assess the bony labyrinth morphology in StW 573. As comparative material, we investigate 17 southern African hominin specimens from Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Makapansgat (plus published data from two specimens from Kromdraai B), attributed to Australopithecus, early Homo or Paranthropus, as well as 10 extant human and 10 extant chimpanzee specimens. We apply a landmark-based geometric morphometric method for quantitatively assessing labyrinthine morphology. Morphology of the inner ear in StW 573 most closely resembles that of another Australopithecus individual from Sterkfontein, StW 578, recovered from the Jacovec Cavern. Within the limits of our sample, we observe a certain degree of morphological variation in the Australopithecus assemblage of Sterkfontein Member 4. Cochlear morphology in StW 573 is similar to that of other Australopithecus as well as to Paranthropus specimens included in this study, but it is substantially different from early Homo. Interestingly, the configuration of semicircular canals in Paranthropus specimens from Swartkrans differs from other fossil hominins, including StW 573. Given the role of the cochlea in the sensory-driven interactions with the surrounding environment, our results offer new perspectives for interpreting early hominin behaviour and ecology. Finally, our study provides additional evidence for discussing the phylogenetic polarity of labyrinthine traits in southern African hominins.

Original Version:

Journal of Human Evolution, Vol. 127 (2019-02).

Record Information

Source Institution:

University of South Florida Library

Holding Location:

University of South Florida

Rights Management:

This object is protected by copyright, and is made available here for research and educational purposes. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the object beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

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Postcard Information

Format:

serial