Trabecular analysis of fossil hominid and ape bones by using micro CT

本研究的目的是通过检查股骨头小梁结构来重建化石猿和早期人科动物的运动行为。肯尼亚国家博物馆的化石标本由便携式pQCT进行CT扫描，分辨率为65-50微米。虽然许多标本矿化程度过重，无法进行ct扫描，但KNM-ER738南方古猿boisei和许多Nacholapithecus标本等一定数量的标本获得了良好的图像。从头部上部提取感兴趣的球形区域（直径5mm），并通过Quant 3D程序进行分析。现代人类的玫瑰图显示了高度的各向异性，主轴向下运行，并有轻微的前下倾斜，表明在支撑阶段存在高度应力，并以脚跟撞击为重点。玫瑰图整体上是盘状的。古树种的玫瑰图与现代人类的相似。在黑猩猩中，观察到高度的各向异性。主轴方向由上后向内前，并有轻微的内外侧倾斜。玫瑰图是棒状的，而不是板状的。猩猩的玫瑰图呈杆状，从骨表面到股骨头中心具有高度的各向异性。在Nacholapithecus中，玫瑰图与猩猩相似，但各向异性程度较低。建议在日常运动行为中使用非特化和非刻板的肢体。

The purpose of this study was to reconstruct locomotor behavior in fossil apes and early hominids by examining trabecular structure of the femoral head. Fossil specimens housed in the National Museums of Kenya were CT scanned by a portable pQCT with a resolution of 65-50 micrometer. Although many of the specimens were too heavily mineralized forCT scanning, good images were obtained from a certain number of specimens such as KNM-ER738 Australopithecus boisei and many of Nacholapithecus specimens. A spherical region of interest (5 mm in diameter) was extracted from the superior part of the head and analyzed by the Quant 3D program. The rose diagram in modern human showed a high anisotropy with the principal axis running superoinferiorly with a slight inferoanterior tilt, suggesting a high stress during the support phase with a emphasis by a heel strike. The rose diagram was a plate-like as a whole. A. boisei exhibited a similar rose diagram to modern human's. In chimpanzee, a high anisotropy was observed. The principal axis was oriedted superoposterior-toinferoanteriorly with a slight inferolateral tilt. The rose diagram was rod-like rather than plate-lie. In orangutan, the rose diagram was rod-like with high anisotropy from the bone surface to the center of the femoral head. In Nacholapithecus, the rose diagram resembles that of orangutan, but degree of anisotropy was lower. Non-specialized and less stereotypical limb use in daily locomotor behavior was suggested.