Dissertation Research: A Comparative Study of Manual Prehensility in Prosimian Primates and Didelphid Marsupials

在灵长类起源模型中，可抓握肢体的进化是一个反复出现的主题。然而，对于灵长类动物的手向更强的抓握能力转变的潜在原因，人们存在强烈的分歧。灵长类起源树栖理论的支持者认为，在树上的运动，特别是在树枝间跳跃，是涉及到可抓握的手和其他灵长类动物诊断特征进化的主要选择因素。也有人提出了另一种模型，强调在细枝支撑物上对无脊椎动物进行视觉捕食，以解释这些特征的出现。评估这些模型时的主要问题是，对于现存灵长类动物的手部功能和结构的表现变量实际上是如何关联的，没有详细的知识存在。为此，本研究项目将记录现存原猿灵长类动物在运动、姿势和操作食物时手部形态与手部使用之间的联系。手的比例和肌肉组织的差异将与选择的属对手使用的行为观察进行对比。然后将与一些非灵长类动物群体进行比较，以突出灵长类动物特有的抓握能力。该研究将为评估各种灵长类起源模型提供经验基础，以解释手握能力，并对许多重要的手化石的行为进行交互。* * * P人类学\ jfried \ \ 9318750。腹肌​!!!D ;;(Times New Roman Symbol & Arial " h % % = Jonathan Friedlaender

ABSTRACT P.I. John Fleagle/Pierre Lemelin SBR- 9318750 The evolution of prehensile extremities is a recurrent theme in models of primate origins. However, there is strong disagreement about the underlying causes associated with the shift toward greater prehensile capabilities of the hand in primates. Proponents of the arboreal theory of primate origins have suggested that locomotion in the trees, especially leaping from branch to branch, was the primary selective factor involved in the evolution of prehensile hands and other primate diagnostic features. Alternative models stressing viual predation on invertebrates on fine-branch supports have also been proposed to explain the emergence of these features. The main problem when evaluating these models is that no detailed knowledge exists on how performance variables actually relate to hand function and structure in extant primates. To this end, this research project will document associations between hand morphology and hand use during locomotion, posture, and manipulation of food objects whithin extant prosimian primates. Differences in hand proportions and musculature will be contrasted with behavioral observataions on hand use for selected genera. Comparisons will then be made with some non-primate groups in order to highlight the peculiarly primate specializations of prehensility. This study will provide an empirical basis to evaluate various models of primate origins to explain manual prehensility, and to interpert behavior in many important fossil hands. *** P\anthro\jfried\9318750.abs ! ! ! D ; ; ( Times New Roman Symbol & Arial " h % % = Jonathan Friedlaender Jonathan Friedlaender