195k views
4 votes
What does A. ramidus tell us about how bipedalism evolved?

User Matteodv
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

Ardipithecus ramidus provides insights into the evolution of bipedalism, showing that it was bipedal on the ground and quadrupedal in the trees.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fossil species Ardipithecus ramidus provides important insights into the evolution of bipedalism. Based on the position of its foramen magnum and the small size of its upper arm bones, it can be concluded that Ardipithecus was bipedal and did not use its arms for weight support during locomotion. The presence of thin dental enamel, reduced canines, and an opposable big toe suggests that Ardipithecus was bipedal on the ground and quadrupedal in the trees. This hypothesis is supported by the fossil's discovery in heavily forested environments.

User Vladimir Semashkin
by
7.8k points