Abstract
This note introduces the types of models used in functional morphological research in order to clarify certain semantic issues and to present some examples of the use of extant model species to contribute to our understanding of bipedal locomotion. The existing models fall into two broad categories: “abstraction models” are simplifications/abstractions of living organisms, whereas “comparative models” are extant organisms used as models or analogues for other organisms (e.g. extinct species). In a palaeoanthropological context, comparative models may be selected for their close (but always imperfect) resemblance to the organism of interest, but some atypical model species can also produce insights not despite their imperfect resemblance, but because of it. We present three examples of our own work on comparative primate models during studies of terrestrial bipedal locomotion in bonobos (Pan paniscus), olive baboons (Papio anubis), and white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar), showing how they each provide insights into the evolution of human bipedal locomotion.
Résumé
Cette note introduit les types de modèles issus de la morphologie fonctionnelle dans le but de clarifier certaines confusions sémantiques et présente quelques cas d’étude contribuant à une meilleure connaissance de la locomotion bipède. Deux vastes catégories de modèles existent : les modèles abstraits, qui sont une simplification et une abstraction d’organismes vivants, et les modèles comparatifs qui sont des organismes vivants utilisés comme modèles/analogues d’autres organismes (p. ex. espèces disparues). Dans une perspective paléoanthropologique, à côté de l’approche qui cherche le meilleur (mais toujours imparfait) « remplaçant » de l’espèce fossile étudiée, l’étude de modèles, atypiques, peut aussi nous apprendre beaucoup du fait de leur imparfaite ressemblance à l’espèce étudiée. Nous présentons trois exemples d’études de modèles primates issues de nos propres travaux sur la bipédie, le babouin olive (Papio anubis), le gibbon à mains blanches (Hylobates lar), et le bonobo (Pan paniscus), en montrant en quoi ils permettent de mieux comprendre certains aspects de l’évolution de la locomotion humaine.
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D’Août, K., Aerts, P. & Berillon, G. Using primate models to study the evolution of human locomotion: concepts and cases. BMSAP 26, 105–110 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-014-0102-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-014-0102-5