Topic 1: Why Bipedalism?
Topic 1: Why Bipedalism?
Please review the information on the evolution of bipedalism on the following websites:
http://humanorigins.si.edu/human-characteristics/walking
http://elucy.org/Main/LessonOverview.html
After reviewing the readings and materials for this week, please address the following questions in your posting to this topic:
1. What is bipedalism? What is habitual bipedalism? How is it different from facultative bipedalism?
2. Briefly explain one of the theories put forward by scientist for the evolution of bipedalism.
3. Based your readings, do you think that bipedalism evolved in hominins before or after an increase in brain size? In what way could brain size have been affected by bipedalism?
4. What are the earliest fossil hominins to show physical evidence of bipedalism?
Please make sure that you cite any outside resources in your answer (using APA format).