Fossil feet may be misleading scientists about human evolution
Wild monkeys in West Africa can climb vertical tree trunks using foot flexibility scientists did not realize they possessed. The discovery challenges a key assumption about what the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees looked like and how it moved.
New research challenges the notion that the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees had feet similar to those of modern apes. Sooty mangabey monkeys, which lack the highly flexible ankles of chimpanzees, can still climb narrow vertical tree trunks for food, hiding or sleeping. This suggests that an ancestor with a monkey-like foot could have been capable of similar vertical climbing.
The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses video evidence to demonstrate the monkeys' ability to bend parts of their feet enough to climb. This challenges previous assumptions that a chimpanzee-like foot was necessary for effective vertical climbing. The findings have implications for understanding human evolution, particularly the emergence of walking on two legs.
The researchers emphasize the need for more fossil evidence to determine the anatomy of the last common ancestor and its ability to perform behaviors like vertical climbing.
Written by urgent.news from ScienceDaily's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
