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CHAPTER 7 Four Limb s an d Quadruped s Abstract - Introductio n - Wha t i s anima l quadrupedalis m Essays int o biomechanics ? - Th e quadrupeda l them e i n vertebrate s Arboreal quadrupeda l behaviou r o f primate s Structural correlate s o f quadrupedalis m - Th e structur e o f quadruped s A deepe r vie w - Fin e difference s i n quadrupeda l behaviou r Fine difference s i n quadrupeda l structur e Some conclusion s o n generalize d primat e quadrupedalis m - Summary Abstract. In this chapter we discuss form and function i n those primates which are usually described a s quadrupeds. At this point we look at both upper and lower limbs, for both partake in quadrupedal postur e and movements. Again, the early simpler view tends to separate each of the more extreme forms of locomotion among the primates and to place, in a singl e grou p an d somewha t a s a miscellany , al l th e les s extrem e primate s a s generalize d quadrupeds . Bu t mor e detailed an d new natural histor y observations suggest that differences ca n be observed amon g the various generalize d quadrupedal species . Thes e differences , thoug h small , ar e larg e enoug h t o impl y thei r ow n variou s averag e biomechanical situation s wit h quadrupedalis m (a s discussed generall y i n th e fourth chapter) . Thus , w e can identif y separate functiona l spectr a withi n th e generalize d quadruped s o f both Ne w an d Ol d Worl d monkeys . In th e sam e way , a t first sight , structura l description s o f various part s o f both uppe r an d lowe r limb s appea r t o confirm th e notio n o f a singl e grou p o f quadrupedal forms . Bu t whe n mor e detaile d attentio n i s focuse d upo n th e quadrupedal species alone, and when methods of display such as the high-dimensional technique of Andrews (Chapte r 3) ar e brough t t o bea r upo n th e results , the n a serie s o f structural spectr a ca n b e discerned . Once again, ther e is a marked concordanc e between th e functional an d structura l spectra . Again, we see that quit e clear difference s i n overal l structur e ca n b e associate d wit h difference s i n function , eve n thoug h th e separation s described her e ar e considerabl y finer tha n thos e i n prio r chapters . In thi s case there ar e a numbe r o f very special caveats relatin g t o fossils, becaus e primate quadrupedalis m o f one kind o r anothe r ma y hav e bee n continuall y recreate d durin g th e lon g evolutio n o f the entir e Order . Introduction Although th e subjec t o f our las t chapter , leaping , i s a conspicuou s activit y o f many primates , th e mos t general for m o f locomotio n amon g primate s i s simple four-foote d movement . An d this , o f course , though i t ma y depen d somewha t mor e upo n on e pair o f limb s tha n upo n th e other , enjoin s fo r th e most par t relativel y equa l participatio n o f al l fou r limbs. I t i s a n activit y o f which al l primates , sav e humans, ar e capabl e an d whic h characterize s many o f them , includin g representative s o f al l major taxonomi c groups . Paradoxically , perhaps , primate quadrupedalis m ha s bee n muc h les s studied tha n th e mor e exoti c form s o f primat e movement, suc h a s leapin g an d brachiating , con siderably les s eve n tha n th e quadrupedalis m o f many othe r animals . What i s anima l quadrupedalism : essays int o biomechanics ? Biomechanical an d anatomica l studie s o f suc h interesting...

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