An alternative interpretation of the
            <i>Australopithecus</i>
            scapula

Melillo, Stephanie M.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1520902112

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…4 This finding was consistent with other observations showing the increased activation of the UT with neck pain. 15 In this regard, to correct FHP and reduce neck pain, the intervention should control excessive activity of the UT. 29 In other words, SSE with ACF may reduce the activity of the UT, resulting in improved scapulothoracic alignment and reestablished proper scapulothoracic rhythm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficacy of Abdominal Control Feedback and Scapula Stabilization Exercises in Participants With Forward Head, Round Shoulder Postures and Neck Movement Impairment

et al. 2019

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Background: Signs and symptoms of impaired function of the musculoskeletal system may be targeted by treating dysfunction located elsewhere. Hypothesis: Abdominal control feedback and scapular stabilization exercise interventions would result in positive changes in pain intensity, strength, electromyography, and flexion-relaxation phenomena in women with forward head and round shoulder postures and neck movement impairment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Then, EMG data were displayed in each data point based on the relationship in percentage of maximum voluntary activity. In this regard, the beginning of muscle activity is marked as the mean + 2SD of the base activity of each muscle contraction lasting for 50 ms. 7,12,15,18…”

Section: Electromyographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of Abdominal Control Feedback and Scapula Stabilization Exercises in Participants With Forward Head, Round Shoulder Postures and Neck Movement Impairment

et al. 2019

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“…Currently, scapular morphology appears to be a more reliable indicator of evolutionary shifts in SI configuration. This would tend to support the view that the shoulder had a lowered configuration in Homo erectus and its descendants (Larson, , , ; Roach et al, ), though this descent may have started much earlier (Melillo, , ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Structural effects of variation in the human clavicle

Melillo

Gunz

Coqueugniot

et al. 2019

American J Phys Anthropol

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Objectives: Purported evolutionary shifts in shoulder structure have been linked to changes in hominin behavior and adaptation. Researchers use clavicle morphology to infer these shifts.However, there is a lack of empirical data underlying such predictive relationships. This study investigates how clavicle morphology affects articulated shoulder girdle and upper thorax configuration in humans. Materials and Methods:Landmarks and scalar measurements on the clavicle, scapula, and ribs 1-3 were collected from three-dimensional computed tomographic scans of living humans.Covariation between disarticulated and articulated morphology was assessed using partial least squares and regression analyses.Results: We found support for hypotheses linking combined dimensions of the clavicle, ribs, and scapula to resting protraction. Individuals with relatively short clavicles tend to exhibit protracted and elevated resting positions of the scapula. It is more difficult to predict superoinferior configuration, which is only minimally affected by clavicle curvature. Instead, the superoinferior position of the scapula on the thorax is governed equally by clavicle orientation and rib declination. Shoulder breadth is determined primarily by clavicle length, but orientation has a comparable effect. Therefore, reliable reconstructions of shoulder breadth can be established using clavicle length, together with consideration of orientation. Relationships between clavicle and thorax morphology are weaker.Discussion: Understanding the determinants of variation in human shoulder structure informs interpretation of skeletal remains. Our investigations describe how important aspects of shoulder structure can be inferred from disarticulated clavicles and we provide the attendant predictive equations. Future work on interspecific variation will improve skeletal reconstruction for more ancient hominins.

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“…288-1), the growth of the A. afarensis shoulder may have followed an ape-like trajectory, which was supported by its dental development 36 , 39 . Analysis of another A. afarensis scapula from Woranso-Mille, Ethiopia (KSD-VP-1/1) 40 , a potential large male individual dated around 3.6 Ma 41 , did not present such an apelike model of the adult australopith shoulder blade 38 , 42 – 44 . The KSD-VP-1/1 scapula preserves more derived features relative to DIK-1-1, though differences between them do not appear to exceed the magnitude of ontogenetic variation that may exist within a living species (and across sexes) 42 , 43 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Analysis of another A. afarensis scapula from Woranso-Mille, Ethiopia (KSD-VP-1/1) 40 , a potential large male individual dated around 3.6 Ma 41 , did not present such an apelike model of the adult australopith shoulder blade 38 , 42 – 44 . The KSD-VP-1/1 scapula preserves more derived features relative to DIK-1-1, though differences between them do not appear to exceed the magnitude of ontogenetic variation that may exist within a living species (and across sexes) 42 , 43 . Specifically, the KSD-VP-1/1 scapula is different from that of African apes in having a less cranial orientation of the spine as well as features linked with a manipulatory function of the upper limb, such as the infraspinous fossa expansion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Evolutionary development of the Homo antecessor scapulae (Gran Dolina site, Atapuerca) suggests a modern-like development for Lower Pleistocene Homo

García‐Martínez

Green

Castro

2021

Sci Rep

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Two well-preserved, subadult 800 ky scapulae from Gran Dolina belonging to Homo antecessor, provide a unique opportunity to investigate the ontogeny of shoulder morphology in Lower Pleistocene humans. We compared the H. antecessor scapulae with a sample of 98 P. troglodytes and 108 H. sapiens representatives covering seven growth stages, as well as with the DIK-1-1 (Dikika; Australopithecus afarensis), KNM-WT 15000 (Nariokotome; H. ergaster), and MH2 (Malapa; A. sediba) specimens. We quantified 15 landmarks on each scapula and performed geometric morphometric analyses. H. sapiens scapulae are mediolaterally broader with laterally oriented glenoid fossae relative to Pan and Dikika shoulder blades. Accordingly, H. antecessor scapulae shared more morphological affinities with modern humans, KNM-WT 15000, and even MH2. Both H. antecessor and modern Homo showed significantly more positive scapular growth trajectories than Pan (slopes: P. troglodytes = 0.0012; H. sapiens = 0.0018; H. antecessor = 0.0020). Similarities in ontogenetic trajectories between the H. antecessor and modern human data suggest that Lower Pleistocene hominin scapular development was already modern human-like. At the same time, several morphological features distinguish H. antecessor scapulae from modern humans along the entire trajectory. Future studies should include additional Australopithecus specimens for further comparative assessment of scapular growth trends.

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An alternative interpretation of the Australopithecus scapula

Cited by 6 publications

References 4 publications

Efficacy of Abdominal Control Feedback and Scapula Stabilization Exercises in Participants With Forward Head, Round Shoulder Postures and Neck Movement Impairment

Efficacy of Abdominal Control Feedback and Scapula Stabilization Exercises in Participants With Forward Head, Round Shoulder Postures and Neck Movement Impairment

Structural effects of variation in the human clavicle

Evolutionary development of the Homo antecessor scapulae (Gran Dolina site, Atapuerca) suggests a modern-like development for Lower Pleistocene Homo

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