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Full story from the BBC here

 

Hi Ian

Interesting, but I go along with the lowland gorilla theory - far closer to our feet than chimps! However, that also begs the question of the common ancestor.

David Holland may have some comment as he made a study of bipedal development for his Masters.

Bill Liggins

PS. What does the (clearly) neolithic chap glaring at the artist and showing his wife/partner/mate (who is wearing a very sophisticated pair of boots - similar to Uggs) how to create stone implements, have to do with pre-paleolithic hominids?

 

Sorry Bill, would you expand your post a bit, damn interesting. According to the cladograms (dna) the chimpanzees & bonobos have the most recent common ancestor relative to the gorillas, mark

 

Hi Mark. I agree that the bonobos (which practice indiscriminate sex continually) are closer to us in terms of DNA - not sure about behaviour though!

Lake in that excellent though ancient book 'The Foot': Norman C Lake, 1952. Balliere, Tindall & Cox. London, without reference to the later theories and without benefit of DNA etc. states:

'Not all of those whom he (Wood Jones) designates as adherents of the "gorilloid theory", however, regard the human foot as being derived from the gorilla; rather they see in the gorilla foot an indication of the structural changes which occur at the inception of adaptation of the foot for bipedal progression, so that it would seem justifiable to assume that a somewhat similar set of changes are likely to have occurred in the prehuman foot. Indeed, Wood Jones himself confesses that the description of Morton (whom he regards as a "gorilloid" adherent) of the pre-runner of man as a "relatively small sized active and agile animal of erect posture" is so unlike a gorilla that the term "gorilloid" would seem wrongly bestowed.'

Lake illustrates his text with comparative sketches and what he describes as a 'highland gorilla' certainly has a foot closer to that of homo sapiens than chimps. Whether the conclusions he draws are accurate is arguable, especially with the further information and fossils available today, but the first couple of chapters of his book make interesting reading.

All the best

Bill

 

Goodaye Bill, I always remember a lecturer's story re; jellyfish, starfish, and humans, which two are the closest relations. Yep the starfish and the human. With the jellyfish and starfish it would be convergent evolution. Fascinating subject! Cheers, mark

 

It was such a long time ago that I forget where I read this, but the peroneus tertius is present in 85% of humans and 15% of highland gorillas. It is not present in the lowland gorilla. Therefore the highland gorilla's foot is closer to our than the lowland gorilla's.

Regards,

Stanley

 

I tend to agree with the convergent evolution... it would be interesting to see what the foot structure of children who have never had weight-bearing feet look like? Assuming no neurological disorders were present.