Final answer:
Great apes are known for diverse modes of locomotion, including brachiation (swinging from branch to branch) for some species, and for humans, bipedalism (walking on two legs).
Step-by-step explanation:
Great apes, which evolved from the catarrhines in Africa approximately 25 million years ago, are known for their diverse modes of locomotion including quadrupedalism, brachiation, and in the case of humans, bipedalism. These primates, including the genera Pan (chimpanzees and bonobos), Gorilla (gorillas), Pongo (orangutans), and Homo (humans), are large, more intelligent than monkeys, and lack tails. Unlike monkeys that walk on their palms, great apes are known for knuckle-walking when on the ground. Great apes, particularly the lesser apes such as gibbons and siamangs, are adept at brachiation, which involves swinging from branch to branch using long arms. This form of locomotion is supported by anatomical adaptations such as a mobile shoulder joint, elongated arms, and a powerful upper body. Conversely, humans exhibit bipedalism, characterized by a broader pelvis, longer legs, and arched feet, features that emerged approximately 2.8 million years ago with early Homo species.