Comparative research on Ardipithecus ramidus and other fossil evidence: enhancing evolutionary morphological research

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24000015
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Suwa Gen 東京大学, 総合研究博物館, 教授 (50206596); Asfaw Berhane
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Katoh Shigehiro 兵庫県立人と自然の博物館, 自然環境評価研究部, 主任研究員 (50301809) ; Nakaya Hideo 鹿児島大学, 理学部, 教授 (20180424) ; Nakatsukasa Masato 京都大学, 理学系研究科, 教授 (00227828) ; Endo Hideki 東京大学, 総合研究博物館, 教授 (30249908) ; Kono Reiko 独立行政法人国立科学博物館, 人類研究部, 研究主幹 (30356266)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Hyodo Masayuki 神戸大学, 内海域環境教育研究センター, 教授 (60183919) ; Ogihara Naomichi 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部, 教授 (70324605)
• Research Collaborator: Beyene Yonas ; Sasaki Tomohiko ; Sano Katsuhiro ; Shimizu Daisuke ; Koyabu Daisuke
• Project Period (FY): 2012 – 2016
• Keywords: 形態 / 先史 / 生体機構 / 霊長類 / 進化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The Chorora Formation research resulted in the discovery of new mammalian fossil assemblages spanning 9 to 7 Ma, including fossils of a large bodied ape, supporting an African origin of the human and African great ape clade. The Konso Formation research clarified the emergence, subsequent development, and paleoenvironmental contexts of the Acheulean technological complex from 1.75 Ma through 0.85 Ma. Comparative analysis of Ardipithecus ramidus and related fossils included a new estimate of canine sexual dimorphism and key morphofunctional evaluations of the hand and foot. Results confirmed a lack of knuckle-walking related features in the Ar. ramidus midcarpal and metacarpal articulations. Analyses of foot bones supported the hypothesis of Australopithecus terrestrial adaptation.

Free Research Field

生物学