Article
Evolutionary development of the Homo antecessor scapulae (Gran Dolina site, Atapuerca) suggests a modern-like development for Lower Pleistocene Homo
Scientific Reports
(2021)
Abstract
Two well-preserved, subadult 800 ky scapulae from Gran Dolina belonging to Homo antecessor,
provide a unique opportunity to investigate the ontogeny of shoulder morphology in Lower
Pleistocene humans. We compared the H. antecessor scapulae with a sample of 98 P. troglodytes
and 108 H. sapiens representatives covering seven growth stages, as well as with the DIK-1-1
(Dikika; Australopithecus afarensis), KNM-WT 15000 (Nariokotome; H. ergaster), and MH2 (Malapa;
A. sediba) specimens. We quantified 15 landmarks on each scapula and performed geometric
morphometric analyses. H. sapiens scapulae are mediolaterally broader with laterally oriented
glenoid fossae relative to Pan and Dikika shoulder blades. Accordingly, H. antecessor scapulae
shared more morphological affinities with modern humans, KNM-WT 15000, and even MH2. Both
H. antecessor and modern Homo showed significantly more positive scapular growth trajectories
than Pan (slopes: P. troglodytes = 0.0012; H. sapiens = 0.0018; H. antecessor = 0.0020). Similarities
in ontogenetic trajectories between the H. antecessor and modern human data suggest that Lower
Pleistocene hominin scapular development was already modern human-like. At the same time,
several morphological features distinguish H. antecessor scapulae from modern humans along the
entire trajectory. Future studies should include additional Australopithecus specimens for further
comparative assessment of scapular growth trends.
Disciplines
Publication Date
Winter February 18, 2021
DOI
10.1038/s41598-021-83039-w
Citation Information
D. J. Green. "Evolutionary development of the Homo antecessor scapulae (Gran Dolina site, Atapuerca) suggests a modern-like development for Lower Pleistocene Homo" Scientific Reports Iss. 11 (2021) p. 4102 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-j-green/61/