A hominoid clavicle from the Mio-Pliocene of Sahabi, Libya.
The first definitive hominoid from the Libyan Mio-Pliocene site of Sahabi is described. The specimen is a left clavicle, lacking a portion of the acromial end. In superior view it shows a marked sternal curvature, similar to homonids, but it also shows a curvature in the coronal plane, similar to the pongid condition. Muscle attachments for sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major and the anterior portion of deltoid are preserved. The robust attachment for the latter suggests relative hypertrophy of this muscle. These considerations and certain morphological similarities to hominids do not suggest a functional reconstruction of locomotor behavior similar to Miocene dryopithecines. Nevertheless, more complete functional and taxonomic discussions must await further work at Sahabi.
D000818:Animals; D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005580:Fossils; D000882:Haplorhini / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D049690:History, Ancient; D008002:Libya; D010163:Paleontology; D011323:Primates / Q000033:anatomy & histology*