%0 Journal Article
%A Syeda, Samar M.
%A Dunmore, Christopher J.
%A Skinner, Matthew M.
%A Berger, Lee R.
%A Churchill, Steven E.
%A Zipfel, Bernhard
%A Kivell, Tracy L.
%+ Department of Human Origins, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society
Department of Human Origins, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society
Department of Human Origins, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society
%T Phalangeal cortical bone distribution reveals different dexterous and climbing behaviors in Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi : 
%G eng
%U https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-0011-4959-8
%R 10.1126/sciadv.adt1201
%7 2025-05-14
%D 2025
%* Review method: peer-reviewed
%X The evolution of the human hand is marked by a transition from a hand primarily used for locomotion to one primarily used for dexterous manipulation. The hand skeletons of Plio-Pleistocene hominins have different mosaics of human-like features associated with enhanced dexterity and ape-like features associated with locomotor hand use. However, the functional relevance of the ape-like features is debated, particularly due to a lack of complete and associated hand remains. Here, we investigate the internal phalangeal cortical structure of the nearly complete Australopithecus sediba MH2 hand and Homo naledi hand 1 to provide both insight into the manual behaviors of these fossil hominins and functional clarity regarding the mosaic features found within their hands. The phalangeal cortical structure demonstrates diversity in Plio-Pleistocene hand use, with A. sediba and H. naledi each indicating different dexterous abilities and different climbing strategies, supporting the functional importance of the ape-like features.
%J Science Advances
%V 11
%N 2
%] eadt1201
%@ 2375-2548