Inferring mode of locomotion through microscopic cortical bone analysis: a comparison of the third digits of Homo sapiens and Ursus americanus using Micro-CT
| dc.contributor.author | Harrison, Kimberly D. | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Hoppa, Robert (Anthropology) Cooper, David (University of Saskatchewan) | en_US |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Monks, Gregory (Anthropology) | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-12-18T21:46:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2012-12-18T21:46:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2012-12-18 | |
| dc.degree.discipline | Anthropology | en_US |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Arts (M.A.) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | 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. | en_US |
| dc.description.note | February 2013 | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/13704 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en_US |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.subject | Cortical bone | en_US |
| dc.subject | Microstructure | en_US |
| dc.subject | Loading | en_US |
| dc.subject | Locomotion | en_US |
| dc.subject | Micro-CT | en_US |
| dc.title | Inferring mode of locomotion through microscopic cortical bone analysis: a comparison of the third digits of Homo sapiens and Ursus americanus using Micro-CT | en_US |
| dc.type | master thesis | en_US |