New Insights into the Locomotion of Australopithecus africanus Based on the Pelvis

Abstract

Many conspicuous differences are found between two South African australopithecine specimens (Stw 431 and Sts 14, A. africanus) and Lucy (AL 288-1 A. afarensis), e.g., the shape of the pelvic iniet, the orientation of the cristae iliacae, the groove of m. iliopsoas, the eminentia iliopectinea, the lig. iliofemorale, the anterior horn of the acetabulum, and the processus transversi sacrales. All these characteristics are related to locomotion. STW 431's cristae iliacae suggests a broad, fleshy attachment for the abdominal muscles and a human-like latissimus dorsi, whereas they were possibly more pongid-like in AL288-1. The gluteal muscles, however, seem to have relatively human-like origin patterns in both australopithecine species.