A5074450624- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Acute Ischemic Stroke Management
- Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Online and Blended Learning
- Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
- Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
- Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Hormonal Regulation and Hypertension
- Innovations in Educational Methods
- Adrenal and Paraganglionic Tumors
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Biblical Studies and Interpretation
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
New York University
2016-2025
New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology
2016-2025
University of the Witwatersrand
2014-2024
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
2021-2024
Dartmouth College
2022
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2015-2021
Museum of the Rockies
2018-2020
Montana State University
2018-2020
American Museum of Natural History
2009-2018
East Carolina University
2004-2015
Homo naledi is a previously-unknown species of extinct hominin discovered within the Dinaledi Chamber Rising Star cave system, Cradle Humankind, South Africa. This characterized by body mass and stature similar to small-bodied human populations but small endocranial volume australopiths. Cranial morphology H. unique, most early including erectus, habilis or rudolfensis. While primitive, dentition generally simple in occlusal morphology. has humanlike manipulatory adaptations hand wrist. It...
The Rising Star cave system has produced abundant fossil hominin remains within the Dinaledi Chamber, representing a minimum of 15 individuals attributed to Homo naledi. Further exploration led discovery material, now comprising 131 specimens, second chamber, Lesedi Chamber. Chamber is far separated from system, and represents depositional context for remains. In each three collection areas diagnostic skeletal material allows clear attribution H. Both adult immature present. represent at...
The evolutionary theory of aging predicts that species will experience delayed senescence and increased longevity when rates extrinsic mortality are reduced. It has long been recognized birds bats characterized by lower greater longevities than nonvolant endotherms, presumably because flight reduces exposure to terrestrial predators, disease, environmental hazards. Like flight, arboreality may act reduce mortality, delay senescence, increase suggested as an explanation for the lifespans...
Tyrannosaurus rex dominated its ecosystem by singularly exploiting the roles of mid- and large-sized carnivore as it grew up.
Two partial vertebral columns of Australopithecus sediba grant insight into aspects early hominin spinal mobility, lumbar curvature, formula, and transitional vertebra position. Au. likely possessed five non-rib-bearing vertebrae sacral elements, the same configuration that occurs modally in modern humans. This finding contrasts with other interpretations regional numbers. Importantly, is distinct from above last rib-bearing sediba, resulting a functionally longer lower back. configuration,...
Bisphenol A (BPA), a pervasive, endocrine disrupting compound (EDC), acts as mixed agonist- antagonist with respect to estrogens and other steroid hormones. We hypothesized that sexually selected traits would be particularly sensitive EDC. Consistent this concept, developmental exposure of males from the polygynous deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, BPA resulted in compromised spatial navigational ability exploratory behaviors, while there was little effect on females. Here, we have...
The morphology and positional behavior of the last common ancestor humans chimpanzees are critical for understanding evolution bipedalism. Early 20th century anatomical research supported view that evolved from a suspensory bearing some resemblance to apes. However, hand 4.4-million-year-old hominin Ardipithecus ramidus purportedly provides evidence was derived more generalized form. Here, we use morphometric phylogenetic comparative methods show retains adapted morphologies shared with...
Abstract Since the first discovery of human fossils in mid‐19th century, two subjects—our phylogenetic relationship to living and fossil apes ancestral locomotor behaviors preceding bipedalism—have driven majority discourse study origins. With few thus limited comparative evidence available inform or constrain them, morphologists 19th early mid‐20th centuries posited a range scenarios for evolution bipedalism. In contrast, there exists rich hominin record acceptance Pan (chimpanzees bonobos)...
Variation in vertebral formulae within and among hominoid species has complicated our understanding of evolution. Here, variation is quantified using diversity similarity indices derived from population genetics. These allow for testing models evolution that call disparate amounts homoplasy, by inference, different patterns Results are interpreted light "short-backed" (J Exp Zool (Mol Dev Evol) 302B:241-267) "long-backed" 314B:123-134) ancestries proposed hominin Under the long-back model,...
Homo erectus was the first hominin to exhibit extensive range expansion. This extraordinary departure from Africa, especially into more temperate climates of Eurasia, has been variously related technological, energetic and foraging shifts. The temporal regional anatomical variation in H. suggests that a high level developmental plasticity, key factor ability sapiens occupy variety habitats, may also have present erectus. Developmental modify development response environmental conditions,...
This study sought to establish the prevalence and morphological characteristics of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) in South African population its correlation with African's affinities. A retrospective review was performed 3096 consecutive thoracic-abdominal-pelvic radiographs at two large public hospitals Africa. Categorisation LSTV classified according Castellvi et al. (1984): types II, III, IV unilateral (A) or bilateral (B) subtypes present. The three largest groups...
A fundamental adaptation to orthograde posture and locomotion amongst living hominoid primates is a numerically reduced lumbar column, which acts stiffen the lower back reduce injuries intervertebral discs. related functionally complementary strategy of spinal stability caudal position diaphragmatic vertebra relative primitive condition found in nonhominoid most other mammals. The marks transition vertebral articular facet (zygapophysis) orientation, either resists (prediaphragmatic) or...
We describe the earliest evidence for neoplastic disease in hominin lineage. This is reported from type specimen of extinct Australopithecus sediba Malapa, South Africa, dated to 1.98 million years ago. The affected individual was male and developmentally equivalent a human child 12 13 age. A penetrating lytic lesion sixth thoracic vertebra. macroscopically evaluated internally imaged through phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. comprehensive differential diagnosis undertaken...
We recently suggested that placentally derived CRH might influence human parturition via specific receptor mechanisms. identified a myometrial changes to high affinity state in the later stages of pregnancy and becomes coupled adenylate cyclase system. The purpose this study was investigate functional capacity tissue obtained from women being delivered electively by cesarian section at term (38-40 weeks gestation) preterm (30-35 before onset labor. Myometrial membrane suspensions were...