The Evolution of the Primate Hand

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Tracy L. Kivell, Pierre Lemelin, Brian G. Richmond, Daniel Schmitt

   Pages 1-3

3. On Primitiveness, Prehensility, and Opposability of the Primate Hand: The Contributions of Frederic Wood Jones and John Russell Napier

   • Pierre Lemelin, Daniel Schmitt

   Pages 5-13

4. Anatomical and Developmental Evidence

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15

      PDF

   2. The Primate Wrist

      • Tracy L. Kivell

      Pages 17-54

   3. Morphological Diversity in the Digital Rays of Primate Hands

      • Biren A. Patel, Stephanie A. Maiolino

      Pages 55-100

   4. The Role of Genes and Development in the Evolution of the Primate Hand

      • Campbell Rolian

      Pages 101-130

   5. Organization and Evolution of the Neural Control of the Hand in Primates: Motor Systems, Sensory Feedback, and Laterality

      • Andrey Verendeev, Chet C. Sherwood, William D. Hopkins

      Pages 131-153

   6. Anatomy, Function, and Evolution of the Primate Hand Musculature

      • Pierre Lemelin, Rui Diogo

      Pages 155-193

   7. Comparative and Functional Morphology of the Primate Hand Integument

      • Stephanie A. Maiolino, Amanda K. Kingston, Pierre Lemelin

      Pages 195-224

5. Biomechanical, Experimental and Behavioral Evidence

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 225-225

      PDF

   2. Functional Morphology of the Primate Hand: Recent Approaches Using Biomedical Imaging, Computer Modeling, and Engineering Methods

      • Caley M. Orr

      Pages 227-257

   3. Experimental Research on Hand Use and Function in Primates

      • Evie E. Vereecke, Roshna E. Wunderlich

      Pages 259-284

   4. Biomechanics of the Human Hand: From Stone Tools to Computer Keyboards

      • Erin Marie Williams-Hatala

      Pages 285-312

   5. Functions of the Hand in Primates

      • Dorothy M. Fragaszy, Jessica Crast

      Pages 313-344

   6. Patterns, Variability, and Flexibility of Hand Posture During Locomotion in Primates

      • Daniel Schmitt, Angel Zeininger, Michael C. Granatosky

      Pages 345-369

6. Paleontological Evidence

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 371-371

      PDF

   2. Hands of Paleogene Primates

      • Doug M. Boyer, Gabriel S. Yapuncich, Stephen G. B. Chester, Jonathan I. Bloch, Marc Godinot

      Pages 373-419

   3. The Hands of Subfossil Lemurs

      • Laurie R. Godfrey, Michael C. Granatosky, William L. Jungers

      Pages 421-453

   4. The Hands of Fossil Non-hominoid Anthropoids

      • Terry Harrison, Thomas R. Rein

      Pages 455-483

This book demonstrates how the primate hand combines both primitive and novel morphology, both general function with specialization, and both a remarkable degree of diversity within some clades and yet general similarity across many others. Across the chapters, different authors have addressed a variety of specific questions and provided their perspectives, but all explore the main themes described above to provide an overarching “primitive primate hand” thread to the book. Each chapter provides an in-depth review and critical account of the available literature, a balanced interpretation of the evidence from a variety of perspectives, and prospects for future research questions. In order to make this a useful resource for researchers at all levels, the basic structure of each chapter is the same, so that information can be easily consulted from chapter to chapter. An extensive reference list is provided at the end of each chapter so the reader has additional resources to addressmore specific questions or to find specific data. 

• Primates
• Morphology
• Hand Musculature
• Biomechanics
• Paleontology

“Biological anthropologists and anatomists will find this book indispensable as a reference. The figures and illustrations are excellent, and the chapters are rich in primary data that could be used for original research or class projects. The chapters are detailed yet easy to read. Careful attention to terminology, emphasized with highlighted text, provides important conceptual clarification that will guide future research.” (Vivek V. Venkataraman, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 93 (03), September, 2018)



“The editors and contributors have produced a comprehensive, state-of-the-art volume on primate hand anatomy, function, and evolution that focuses on both primitive and derived features of primate hands. … the approachable text is enhanced with numerous tables and illustrations. This work is highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates through professionals in primatology and biological anthropology. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.” (E. J. Sargis, Choice, Vol. 54 (7), March, 2017)

• Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary An, Leipzig, Germany

  Tracy L. Kivell

• Division of Anatomy Department of Surgery Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

  Pierre Lemelin

• Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA

  Brian G. Richmond

• Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University , Durham, USA

  Daniel Schmitt

Tracy L. Kivell
Animal Postcranial Evolution (APE) Lab, Skeletal Biology Research Centre, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany

Pierre Lemelin
Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Brian G. Richmond
Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA


Daniel Schmitt
Animal Locomotion Lab, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

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