Preface; Introduction; 1. Pelvis anatomy; 2. Functional morphology; 3. Pelves of the hominin lineage; 4. Developmental biology of the pelvis; 5. Pelvis evolution as a function of evolutionary development; Conclusion; Appendix; Works cited; Index.
Synthesizes and re-examines the evolution of the human pelvis, which sits at the interface between locomotion and childbirth.
Cara M. Wall-Scheffler is Professor and Chair, Department of Biology, Seattle Pacific University. Her research interests focus around evolutionary tradeoffs throughout the human lineage with a particular interest in mobility strategies. She received the Frameshifter Award for her contributions to science and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the evolution of human locomotion. Helen K. Kurki is Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her research investigates the factors that underlie morphological variation in the human skeleton, with a particular focus on the pelvis. She is currently exploring the use of 3D imaging to analyze the shape of skeletal elements throughout the growth period. Benjamin M. Auerbach is Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research has focused on understanding how global human morphological variation has evolved in relation to genetic trait covariances and in correspondence with environmental factors. He currently studies primate evolution through the use of quantitative genetics and biomechanics.
'The human pelvis is a lens through which so many questions about
our evolutionary history can be asked and answered - from the way
we enter this world, to the way we walk through it. Three of the
world's leading experts on the evolution of the pelvis have joined
forces to write the definitive book on the anatomy, variation,
development and evolution of a bone that has been central to the
human story. Through concise writing, current research and clear
illustrations, the authors write a coherent tale about a
complicated bone, challenging many long-held beliefs along the way.
I devoured this book and, like any great book, it left me with more
questions than answers. It is sure to be the starting point for any
scholar interested in the evolution of our pelvis and the launching
point for all future research on this fascinating and still poorly
understood bone.' Jeremy DeSilva, Dartmouth College, New
Hampshire
'Understanding of human pelvic evolution has increased dramatically
as the fossil record has grown substantially. In this scholarly
tour de force, Wall-Scheffler, Kurki and Auerbach pull together
knowledge of the pelvis in an excellent synthesis examining data
and conclusions from biomechanics, kinematics, fossil evidence,
developmental biology, evolutionary theory and beyond. They
identify multiple sources of selection on the pelvis, including
locomotion, obstetrics, thermoregulation and body size, explicating
how developmental, genetic, epi-genetic and evolutionary forces
interact to determine pelvic morphology(ies) in living people. They
recognise that essentialising childbirth has limited understanding
of how anatomy influences obstetrical experiences. Thus, they
are appreciative of past and present human variation in pelvic
morphology, birth mechanism, body shape and locomotor pattern,
realising that ignoring variation masks important patterns critical
for understanding. This synthetic book is essential reading for
anyone studying human skeletal anatomy, and sets an agenda for
future studies of human pelvic evolution.' Karen Rosenberg,
University of Delaware
'This volume presents a comprehensive review of the anatomy,
functional morphology, evolution, growth and development, and
variation of the human pelvis. The individual chapters and
extensive up-to-date bibliography provide an excellent resource and
reference for students interested in forensic anthropology, human
evolution, and comparative anatomy. The contents may be familiar to
seasoned experts in human skeleton biology, but it is always
welcome to have a synthesis of the latest research on this topic in
a single volume.' T. Harrison, Choice
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