Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Grasping in primates: for feeding, moving and human specificities (Saisir chez les primates: se nourrir, se deplacer et les specificities humanines)

Pouydebat, E, Fragaszy, Dorothy M., Kivell, Tracy L. (2014) Grasping in primates: for feeding, moving and human specificities (Saisir chez les primates: se nourrir, se deplacer et les specificities humanines). Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris, 26 (3-4). pp. 129-133. ISSN 0037-8984. (doi:10.1007/s13219-014-0100-7) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:43772)

PDF Publisher pdf
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only
[thumbnail of Pouydebat et al 2014 Grasping in primates BMSAP.pdf]
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13219-014-0100-7

Abstract

For a long time, humans (genus Homo) were

thought to be the only mammalian species capable of dextrous

manual grasping. However, grasping is widespread

among tetrapods, and among primates, it is associated with

a wide range of morphological, dietary and locomotor variation.

From an evolutionary perspective, this prompts several

questions: is the origin and evolution of grasping in primates

derived from requirements associated primarily with feeding

or primarily with locomotor behaviour? Are there grasping

abilities that are unique to humans? Who made the first tool?

The main purpose of this paper is to present a short overview

of grasping in primates in order to open a discussion. We

show that grasping strategies vary across species, depending

on food properties and the substrates used. We also demonstrate

that non-human primates can control individual digits,

allowing them to use their hands dextrously. Finally, we discuss

the challenges that arise in distinguishing anatomical

features related to grasping and the debate around the first

hominin tool-makers.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s13219-014-0100-7
Subjects: Q Science
Q Science > QH Natural history
Q Science > QM Human anatomy
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Tracy Kivell
Date Deposited: 31 Oct 2014 08:50 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 10:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/43772 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.