The Evolutionary Biology of the Human Pelvis

Cara M. Wall-Scheffler is Professor and Chair, Department of Biology, Seattle Pacific University. Her research interests focus around evolutionary tradeoffs throughout the human lineage with a particular interest in mobility strategies. She received the Frameshifter Award for her contributions to science and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the evolution of human locomotion. Helen K. Kurki is Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her research investigates the factors that underlie morphological variation in the human skeleton, with a particular focus on the pelvis. She is currently exploring the use of 3D imaging to analyze the shape of skeletal elements throughout the growth period. Benjamin M. Auerbach is Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research has focused on understanding how global human morphological variation has evolved in relation to genetic trait covariances and in correspondence with environmental factors. He currently studies primate evolution through the use of quantitative genetics and biomechanics.

• Preface; Introduction; 1. Pelvis anatomy; 2. Functional morphology; 3. Pelves of the hominin lineage; 4. Developmental biology of the pelvis; 5. Pelvis evolution as a function of evolutionary development; Conclusion; Appendix; Works cited; Index.

'The human pelvis is a lens through which so many questions about our evolutionary history can be asked and answered - from the way we enter this world, to the way we walk through it. Three of the world's leading experts on the evolution of the pelvis have joined forces to write the definitive book on the anatomy, variation, development and evolution of a bone that has been central to the human story. Through concise writing, current research and clear illustrations, the authors write a coherent tale about a complicated bone, challenging many long-held beliefs along the way. I devoured this book and, like any great book, it left me with more questions than answers. It is sure to be the starting point for any scholar interested in the evolution of our pelvis and the launching point for all future research on this fascinating and still poorly understood bone.' Jeremy DeSilva, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire