Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/16290
Title: Descriptions of the lower limb skeleton of 'Homo floresiensis'
Contributor(s): Jungers, W L (author); Larson, S G (author); Harcourt-Smith, W (author); Morwood, Michael J  (author); Sutikna, T (author); Due Awe, Rokhus (author); Djubiantono, T (author)
Publication Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2008.08.014
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/16290
Abstract: Bones of the lower extremity have been recovered for up to nine different individuals of 'Homo floresiensis' - LB1, LB4, LB6, LB8, LB9, LB10, LB11, LB13, and LB14. LB1 is represented by a bony pelvis (damaged but now repaired), femora, tibiae, fibulae, patellae, and numerous foot bones. LB4/2 is an immature right tibia lacking epiphyses. LB6 includes a fragmentary metatarsal and two pedal phalanges. LB8 is a nearly complete right tibia (shorter than that of LB1). LB9 is a fragment of a hominin femoral diaphysis. LB10 is a proximal hallucal phalanx. LB11 includes pelvic fragments and a fragmentary metatarsal. LB13 is a patellar fragment, and LB14 is a fragment of an acetabulum. All skeletal remains recovered from Liang Bua were extremely fragile, and some were badly damaged when they were removed temporarily from Jakarta. At present, virtually all fossil materials have been returned, stabilized, and hardened. These skeletal remains are described and illustrated photographically. The lower limb skeleton exhibits a uniquely mosaic pattern, with many primitive-like morphologies; we have been unable to find this combination of ancient and derived (more human-like) features in either healthy or pathological modern humans, regardless of body size. Bilateral asymmetries are slight in the postcranium, and muscle markings are clearly delineated on all bones. The long bones are robust, and the thickness of their cortices is well within the ranges seen in healthy modern humans. LB1 is most probably a female based on the shape of her greater sciatic notch, and the marked degree of lateral iliac flaring recalls that seen in australopithecines such as "Lucy" (AL 288-1). The metatarsus has a human-like robusticity formula, but the proximal pedal phalanges are relatively long and robust (and slightly curved). The hallux is fully adducted, but we suspect that a medial longitudinal arch was absent.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Journal of Human Evolution, 57(5), p. 538-554
Publisher: Academic Press
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1095-8606
0047-2484
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060311 Speciation and Extinction
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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