Bone is a 3D dynamic and unique tissue that structurally adapts in response to mechanical stimuli. Comparative skeletal morphology is commonly utilized to infer ancient hominins' modes of locomotion; however, instances of remarkable gross similarity despite different modes of locomotion do occur. A common cited example is the similarity between the skeletal elements of bipedal human (Homo sapiens) hands/feet and quadrupedal black bear (Ursus americanus) front/hind paws. Through novel 3D Micro-CT and 2D histomorphology analysis, this thesis tests the hypothesis that a 3D microscopic analysis of biomechanically regulated cortical bone structures provides a more representative and accurate means to infer a species' mode of locomotion. Micro-CT data were collected at the mid-diaphysis of human (n=5) and bear (n=5) third metacarpal/metatarsal pairs and compared with independent and paired t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots. Bone microarchitecture is quantifiable in 3D and accessible through non-destructive Micro-CT. Interspecies variation was present, however no significant cortical differences between elements of humans and bears was found. Histological inspection revealed further variation between and within species and element. A key limitation was sample size and further investigation of the relationship between mechanical loading and mode of locomotion is warranted.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/13704 |
| Date | 18 December 2012 |
| Creators | Harrison, Kimberly D. |
| Contributors | Monks, Gregory (Anthropology), Hoppa, Robert (Anthropology) Cooper, David (University of Saskatchewan) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Detected Language | English |
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