Morphological basis of arm-swinging: multivariate analyses of the forelimbs of Hylobates and Ateles.
Field and laboratory studies of arm-swinging in gibbons reveal its singularity even compared to spider monkeys. On the basis of principal components and discriminant analyses of size-corrected forelimb variables, this study confirms their morphological uniqueness and the more generalized nature of the spider monkey forelimb. Long forearms, well-developed scapular spines, and sagittally thicker radial shafts are features associated strictly with gibbon arm-swinging. On the other hand, large humeral heads, projecting medial epicondyles, and axially elongated scapulae, traditionally regarded as arm-swinging traits, are probably more important for climbing.
Takahashi
L K
LK
Department of Anthropology, University of Chicago, Ill.
D000818:Animals; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D002427:Cebidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006811:Humerus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006922:Hylobates / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011884:Radius / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012540:Scapula / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014457:Ulna / Q000033:anatomy & histology