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的骨小梁结构来重建化石猿和早期人类的运动行为。用分辨率为65-50微米的便携式pQCT对肯尼亚国家博物馆收藏的化石标本进行CT扫描。虽然许多标本矿化程度太高，无法进行CT扫描，但从一定数量的标本中获得了良好的图像，如KNM-ER 738南方古猿和许多那曲古猿标本。从头部的上级部分提取球形感兴趣区域（直径5 mm），并通过Quant 3D程序进行分析。现代人的玫瑰图显示出高的各向异性，主轴向上运行，具有轻微的下前倾，这表明在支撑阶段期间具有高应力，强调脚跟撞击。玫瑰图整体呈盘状。A. boisei展示了与现代人相似的玫瑰图。在黑猩猩中，观察到高各向异性。主轴方向为上后下前，轻微下外侧倾斜。玫瑰花图是棒状的，而不是片状的。红毛猩猩的玫瑰图从骨表面到股骨头中心呈杆状，各向异性强。纳霍拉古猿的玫瑰花图与猩猩的玫瑰花图相似，但各向异性程度较低。非专业化和刻板的肢体使用日常运动行为的建议。

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.