Bipedalism, canine tooth reduction, and obligatory tool use

Bipedalism in the earliest hominid specimens is always accompanied by the reduction of projecting canine teeth. Body size is smaller than chimpanzees or humans, but molar teeth are markedly larger. Use of a pointed stick for defensive purposes on the one hand, and digging for USOs on the other, may...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Behavioral and brain sciences Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 507 - 508
Main Author Brace, C. Loring
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.08.2004
Subjects
Body size
Canine teeth
Tool use
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Summary:Bipedalism in the earliest hominid specimens is always accompanied by the reduction of projecting canine teeth. Body size is smaller than chimpanzees or humans, but molar teeth are markedly larger. Use of a pointed stick for defensive purposes on the one hand, and digging for USOs on the other, may be why bipedalism was selected for. Passing such learned behavior to the next generation may have played a role in selecting for language.
Bibliography:ark:/67375/6GQ-WC6WC73H-C
PII:S0140525X04260113
istex:10A0A939C08E5C89AC6C3677132B2D0E5B060CC2
ISSN:0140-525X
1469-1825
DOI:10.1017/S0140525X04260113