A5080493991- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- dental development and anomalies
- African history and culture analysis
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Dental Radiography and Imaging
- Language and cultural evolution
- Hip disorders and treatments
- Geological formations and processes
- Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
The University of Tokyo
2014-2024
University of Tokyo Hospital
2016-2021
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2014
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
2003-2004
University of California, Berkeley
1983-2004
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
2004
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
1993
Los Alamos National Laboratory
1993
Kyoto University
1989-1991
Hominid fossils predating the emergence of Australopithecus have been sparse and fragmentary. The evolution our lineage after last common ancestor we shared with chimpanzees has therefore remained unclear. Ardipithecus ramidus, recovered in ecologically temporally resolved contexts Ethiopia's Afar Rift, now illuminates earlier hominid paleobiology aspects extant African ape evolution. More than 110 specimens from 4.4-million-year-old sediments include a partial skeleton much skull, hands,...
The lack of an adequate hominid fossil record in eastern Africa between 2 and 3 million years ago (Ma) has hampered investigations early phylogeny. Discovery 2.5 Ma cranial dental remains from the Hata beds Ethiopia's Middle Awash allows recognition a new species Australopithecus . This is descended afarensis candidate ancestor for Homo Contemporary postcranial feature derived humanlike humeral/femoral ratio apelike upper arm–to–lower arm ratio.
The Acheulean technological tradition, characterized by a large (>10 cm) flake-based component, represents significant advance over the Oldowan. Although stone tool assemblages attributed to have been reported from as early circa 1.6–1.75 Ma, characteristics of these earliest occurrences and comparisons with later not in detail. Here, we provide newly established chronometric calibration for Konso Formation, southern Ethiopia, which span time period ∼1.75 <1.0 Ma. is chronologically...
The femur and pelvis of Ardipithecus ramidus have characters indicative both upright bipedal walking movement in trees. Consequently, bipedality Ar. was more primitive than later Australopithecus . Compared with monkeys Early Miocene apes such as Proconsul , the ilium is mediolaterally expanded, its sacroiliac joint located posteriorly. These changes are shared some Middle Late well African hominids. However, contrast to extant apes, facilitated by craniocaudal shortening enhanced lordotic...
Genomic comparisons have established the chimpanzee and bonobo as our closest living relatives. However, intricacies of gene regulation expression caution against use these extant apes in deducing anatomical structure last common ancestor that we shared with them. Evidence for this must therefore be sought from fossil record. Until now, record has provided few relevant data because available fossils were too recent or incomplete. Ardipithecus ramidus now suggests lacked hand, foot, pelvic,...
Australopithecus fossils were regularly interpreted during the late 20th century in a framework that used living African apes, especially chimpanzees, as proxies for immediate ancestors of human clade. Such projection is now largely nullified by discovery Ardipithecus . In context accumulating evidence from genetics, developmental biology, anatomy, ecology, biogeography, and geology, alters perspectives on how our earliest hominid ancestors—and closest relatives—evolved.
Late Miocene fossil hominid teeth recovered from Ethiopia's Middle Awash are assigned to Ardipithecus kadabba. Their primitive morphology and wear pattern demonstrate that A. kadabba is distinct ramidus. These fossils suggest the last common ancestor of apes humans had a functionally honing canine-third premolar complex. Comparison with Sahelanthropus Orrorin, two other named late genera, implies these putative taxa very similar It therefore premature posit extensive diversity on basis...
Several elements of the Ardipithecus ramidus foot are preserved, primarily in ARA-VP-6/500 partial skeleton. The has a widely abducent hallux, which was not propulsive during terrestrial bipedality. However, it lacks highly derived tarsometatarsal laxity and inversion extant African apes that provide maximum conformity to substrates vertical climbing. Instead, exhibits primitive characters maintain plantar rigidity from foot-flat through toe-off, reminiscent some Miocene Old World monkeys....
A diverse assemblage of large mammals is spatially and stratigraphically associated with Ardipithecus ramidus at Aramis. The most common species are tragelaphine antelope colobine monkeys. Analyses their postcranial remains situate them in a closed habitat. Assessment dental mesowear, microwear, stable isotopes from these wider range abundant larger indicates that the local habitat Aramis was predominantly woodland. Ar. enamel isotope values indicate minimal C 4 vegetation component its diet...
Over 200 hominid specimens were recovered by the International Omo Expedition of 1967–1976. Despite fragmentary nature this primarily dental collection, these remains represent a major body evidence about evolution in eastern Africa during 2–3 myr time period. Our analysis collection is based on large comparative sample 375 quantifiable mandibular postcanine teeth A. afarensis, africanus, aethiopicus, boisei, robustus, and early Homo. A total 48 isolated premolars molars spanning period...
The Ardipithecus ramidus hand and wrist exhibit none of the derived mechanisms that restrict motion in extant great apes are reminiscent those Miocene apes, such as Proconsul. capitate head is more palmar than all other known hominoids, permitting extreme midcarpal dorsiflexion. Ar. later hominids lack carpometacarpal articular ligamentous specializations apes. Manual proportions unlike any ape. Metacarpals 2 through 5 relatively short, lacking morphological traits associable with...
The Middle Awash Ardipithecus ramidus sample comprises over 145 teeth, including associated maxillary and mandibular sets. These help reveal the earliest stages of human evolution. Ar. lacks postcanine megadontia Australopithecus. Its molars have thinner enamel are functionally less durable than those Australopithecus but lack derived Pan pattern thin occlusal with ripe-fruit frugivory. dental morphology wear consistent a partially terrestrial, omnivorous/frugivorous niche. Analyses show...
Fossils and artifacts recovered from the middle Awash Valley of Ethiopia's Afar depression sample Middle Pleistocene transition Homo erectus to sapiens. Ar/Ar ages, biostratigraphy, tephrachronology this area indicate that Bodo hominid cranium newer specimens are approximately 0.6 million years old. Only Oldowan chopper flake assemblages present in lower stratigraphic units, but Acheulean bifacial consistently prevalent widespread directly overlying deposits. This technological is related a...
The history of discovery and interpretation primate footprints at the site Laetoli in northern Tanzania is reviewed. An analysis geological context these tracks provided. hominid Tuff 7 Site G Garusi River Valley demonstrate bipedality a mid-Pliocene datum. Comparison Hadar foot fossils by Tuttle has led him to conclude that Australopithecus afarensis did not make Tanzanian prints more derived form therefore indicated Laetoli. alternative been offered Stern Susman who posit conforming...
The highly fragmented and distorted skull of the adult skeleton ARA-VP-6/500 includes most dentition preserves substantial parts face, vault, base. Anatomical comparisons micro–computed tomography–based analysis this other remains reveal pre- Australopithecus hominid craniofacial morphology structure. Ardipithecus ramidus exhibits a small endocranial capacity (300 to 350 cubic centimeters), cranial size relative body size, considerable midfacial projection, lack modern African ape–like...