Chimps on treadmills offer evolution insight

Chimps on treadmills offer evolution insight

Story Highlights
Study: Human ancestors began walking on two legs because it used less energy

Study involved chimpanzees and humans walking on treadmills

The chimps were taught to walk on the treadmill with 2 legs and on 4 legs

Chimpanzees are the closest genetic cousins to people

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Chimpanzees scampering on a treadmill have provided support for the notion that ancient human ancestors began walking on two legs because it used less energy than quadrupedal knuckle-walking, scientists said.

"This paper provides strong support for the fact that energy savings played a role in the evolution of bipedalism," one of the scientists, University of Arizona anthropologist David Raichlen, said in a telephone interview.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Plus upright, they can see danger much further away. Not being eaten provides impetus to continue the habit.

[piercehawkeye45]

There are many evolutionary advantages to walking upright which would have made it favorable to walking on all fours.

First, in big open fields with tall grass it is more of an advantage to be able to see over the grass to be able to track predators. If you can see them beforehand you will be able to run away or fight back before they get close.

Second, once we were able to evolve hands we could made tools that would make hunting, eating, drinking, and surviving much more easier.

Third, it is easier to fight against predators when you have two feet and two hands. We can throw rocks or hit predators with sticks which would make them back off.

This helps the argument greatly.

[freshnesschronic]

If it saves energy, how come cheetahs are so freakin' fast? Or is all their energy totally depleted after one gazelle chase?

[xoxoxoBruce]

They are built differently. Sure they are fast but let's see them carry a case of beer.

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

Or is all their energy totally depleted after one gazelle chase?

Yes, basically it is - they are constantly weighing the odds of a successful chase with energy expended. They, and their prey turned meal, are most vulnerable right afterwards. Other predators know this and attack for that very reason - the cheetah not being able to defend its capture.

Cheetahs are not apes. I hope you were being sarcastic.
Many speculate that the change happened as we moved from the forests/jungle onto the savanna.
Or, jebus did it cause his robes got dirty.

[spudcon]

They are built differently. Sure they are fast but let's see them carry a case of beer.

Thanks, Bruce, your posts always get to the bottom line with logic and wisdom.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

Cheetahs are not apes.

Well that's why God evolved humans from apes and not from cheetahs.

[yesman065]

"The cheetah is aerodynamically built for speed and can accelerate from zero to 40 mph in three strides and to full speed of 70 mph in seconds. As the cheetah runs, only one foot at a time touches the ground. There are two points, in its 20 to 25 foot (7-8 metres) stride when no feet touch the ground, as they are fully extended and then totally doubled up. Nearing full speed, the cheetah is running at about 3 strides per second. The cheetah's respiratory rate climbs from 60 to 150 breaths per minute during a high-speed chase and can run only 400 to 600 yards before it is exhausted; at this time it is extremely vulnerable to other predators, which may not only steal its prey, but attack it as well. "

[tw]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

There are many evolutionary advantages to walking upright which would have made it favorable to walking on all fours.

First, ... able to see over the grass
Second, ... [with free] hands we could made tools
Third, it is easier to fight against predators

Another point often made elsewhere was that man on two feet was built to travel great distances. The ability to travel great distances was essential to survival in a changing world.

[yesman065]

According to the arboreal theory - "Human ancestors evolved to upright bipedalism as an adaptation to forage for ripe fruit in the trees' peripheries."

[tw]

Originally Posted by yesman065

According to the arboreal theory - "Human ancestors evolved to upright bipedalism as an adaptation to forage for ripe fruit in the trees' peripheries."

Monkeys can perform that job easier.

[Clodfobble]

And cheaper! You think human ancestors used illegal migrant monkey labor?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by tw

Monkeys can perform that job easier.

Which proves humans are just the spawn of the lazy, opportunistic, pickers of low hanging fruit.