Re: pipedalism theories?
Pat Dooley (patdooley@aol.com)
5 Feb 1995 20:15:02 -0500
None of the current theories on the evolution of bipedalism (except the
AAT)
address the issue of non-disadvantageous intermediates. How did the
transition proceed? On the savannah, where the ability to run is
essential,
the first tottering ape would be at a severe disadvantage compared
to its quadrupedal cousins.
In an arboreal environment, it's hard to see what advantages bipedalism
provided.
The discovery that small-brained Lucy was fully bipedal killed off all the
tool
carrying theories.
The solar radiation theories (the heliotropic ape) are a stretch and still
don't
tell us how the apes made it through the transition.
Pat D
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