A5050076438- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Archaeology and Historical Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Ancient Near East History
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Connexins and lens biology
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Shoulder Injury and Treatment
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Regional Economic Development and Innovation
- Connective tissue disorders research
- Corneal Surgery and Treatments
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Robotic Locomotion and Control
- Gene expression and cancer classification
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
University of the Witwatersrand
2015-2025
North Carolina State University
2016-2025
Duke University
2011-2021
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2015-2017
United States Air Force
2012
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 discovery of a relatively complete Australopithecus sediba adult female skeleton permits detailed locomotor analysis in which joint systems can be integrated to form comprehensive picture gait kinematics this late australopith. Here we describe the lower limb anatomy Au. and hypothesize that species walked with fully extended leg an inverted foot during swing phase bipedal walking. Initial contact lateral ground resulted large pronatory torque around joints caused extreme medial weight...
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...
Reproduction and survival in most primate species reflects management of both competitive cooperative relationships. Here, we investigated the links between neuroanatomy sociality free-ranging rhesus macaques. In adults, number social partners predicted volume mid–superior temporal sulcus ventral-dysgranular insula, implicated decision-making empathy, respectively. We found no link brain structure other key variables such as status or indirect connectedness nor maternal networks dependent...
Humans exhibit sex differences in the prevalence of many neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we generated one largest multi-brain-region bulk transcriptional datasets for rhesus macaque characterized sex-biased gene expression patterns to investigate translatability this species neurological conditions. We identify similar those humans, which are associated with overlapping regulatory mechanisms, biological processes, genes implicated human disorders, including...
Chimpanzees are important referential models for the study of life history in hominin evolution. Age at sexual maturity and first reproduction key milestones that mark diversion energy from growth to essential comparing trajectories between chimpanzees humans. Yet, accurate information on ages these wild is difficult obtain because most females transfer before breeding. Precise age birth only known a relatively small number non-dispersing individuals. Moreover, due sample sizes, degree which...
Abstract The lower limb of Homo naledi presents a suite primitive, derived and unique morphological features that pose interesting questions about the nature bipedal movement in this species. exceptional representation all skeletal elements H. makes it an excellent candidate for biomechanical analysis gait dynamics using modern kinematic software. However, virtual software requires 3D models entire chain. No single individual preserves elements, what material is preserved fragmentary. As...
Humans’ prolonged somatic development and life history are unique among primates, yet their evolutionary origins remain unclear. Dental has been used as a proxy to reconstruct evolution in the hominin clade indicates recent emergence of human developmental pattern. Here, we analyse tooth formation eruption two developing dentitions Homo naledi , late-surviving, morphologically mosaic species. Deciduous dental is more similar humans than chimpanzees, probably reflecting symplesiomorphy rather...
Social integration and social status can substantially affect an individual's health survival. One route through which this occurs is by altering immune function, be highly sensitive to changes in the environment. However, we currently have limited understanding of how sociality influences markers immunity naturalistic populations where dynamics fully realized. To address gap, asked if free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) predict anatomical physiological immunity. We used data on...
In carnivorans, bite force is a critical and ecologically informative variable that has been correlated with multiple morphological, behavioral, environmental attributes. Whereas in vivo measures of biting performance are difficult to obtain many taxa-and impossible extinct species-numerous osteological proxies exist for estimating masticatory muscle size force. These include both volumetric approximations dimensions direct measurements muscular attachment sites. this study, we compare three...
Abstract A primate's body mass covaries with numerous ecological, physiological, and behavioral characteristics. This versatility potential to provide insight into an animal's life has made prediction a frequent important objective in paleoanthropology. In hominin paleontology, the most commonly employed equations (BMPEs) are “mechanical” “morphometric”: uni‐ or multivariate linear regressions incorporating dimensions of load‐bearing skeletal elements stature living bi‐iliac breadth as...
Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) are primarily frugivorous but consume a variable amount of meat from variety organisms, including other chimpanzees. Cannibalism is rare, usually follows lethal aggression, and does not occur following natural deaths. While chimpanzee cannibalism has been documented at multiple sites, many instances this behavior go unrecorded. Identification remains in feces, however, can provide indirect evidence cannibalism. Hair, particular, typically passes through the...
Abstract Objectives The femoral remains recovered from the Lesedi Chamber are among most complete South African fossil hominin femora discovered to date and offer new valuable insights into anatomy variation of bone in Homo naledi . While femur is one best represented postcranial elements H. assemblage Dinaledi Chamber, fragmentary commingled nature has impeded assessment this element its state. Materials methods Here we analyze provide descriptions three relatively well‐preserved specimens...
Homo naledi is known from the Rising Star cave system, South Africa, where its remains have previously been reported two localities: Dinaledi Chamber (U.W. 101) and Lesedi 102). Continued exploration of system has expanded our knowledge surrounding passageways (the Subsystem), leading to discovery new fossil localities. This paper discusses assemblage locality designated U.W. 110. within a narrow fissure Subsystem approximately 12 meters southwest 2013–2014 excavation. Fossil recovered this...
Abstract Objectives Homo naledi is represented by abundant remains from the Dinaledi Chamber of Rising Star Cave system in South Africa. While pelvic elements cave are fragmentary, a relatively complete ilium (U.W. 102a–138) was recovered Lesedi Chamber. We reconstructed and analyzed ilium, providing qualitative descriptions quantitative assessment its morphology developmental state. Materials Methods compared to Chamber, other African hominin fossils, an ontogenetic series human ilia. used...