DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Anthropology 2608/1613
Spring 2020
Primate Biology: Functional Anatomy of Primate Locomotor Systems
Dr. Michael I. Siegel
COURSE OUTLINE

Required Texts:
Postcranial Adaptation in Nonhuman Primates, Gebo, D.L.

 

                         TENTATIVE WORKING SCHEDULE

WEEK                TOPIC

I           Mechanics of the course  1/8

II          Introduction: fundamental tissues, osteogenesis, growth  1/15

III         Bone architecture, force and energy, muscle function; joints and joint mechanics  1/22

IV         Locomotion: vertebrate adaptations primate locomotion  -  Bipedalism Theories 1/29

V          Musculoskeletal relationships and analysis;  - Bipedalism Theories 2/5

VI         Functional anatomy: methodology 360 Scaife  2/12   

VII        Functional anatomy: methodology 360 Scaife  2/19

VIII       Seminar: Adaptation and functions of the Primate cranium 2/26 Pillai, Callahan

IX          Seminar: Adaptation and functions of the Primate forelimb  3/4 Withington, Gupta

X           Seminar: Adaptation and functions of the Primate hand  3/18  (note: Spring Break no class 3/11) Yauger, McLaughlin

XI          Seminar: Adaptation and functions of the Primate thorax and vertebral column  3/25  Roberto, Gardner

XII         Seminar: Adaptation and functions of the Primate hindlimb 4/1 Clarke, Bachy
      
XIII        Seminar: Adaptation and functions of the Primate foot  4/8 Yellapragada, Stollman, Conway  

XIV        Finale: 4/15

THEORIES SIGN-UP:

AMPHIBIAN GENERALIST- Withington, Callahan
AQUATIC APE/WADING- Yauger, Stollman, Pillai
RESPIRATORY COUPLING AND SYNCHRONY- Gardner, Stollman
SAVANNAH HYPOTHESIS-  Yellapragada, McLaughlin, Clarke
ENERGETICS AND EFFICIENCY- Conway, Gupta, Pillai
THERMOREGULATION AND BRAIN-  Roberto, Gardner
CARRYING HYPOTHESIS- Bachy, Yauger