"The Surprising Influence of Downclimbing on Human Anatomy"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by SciTechDaily
Researchers from Dartmouth propose that the ability of humans to freely move their shoulders and elbows originated as a natural braking system for primate ancestors descending from trees, a behavior known as "downclimbing." Through an analysis of climbing techniques and limb structures in chimps and mangabeys, they found that the unique limb flexibility in apes and early humans allowed them to descend safely, which eventually facilitated evolutionary advancements in tool use and hunting techniques. The study highlights the significance of downclimbing in the evolution of apes and early humans and sheds light on the role of limb mobility in human anatomy.