A link, for your convenience: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1117_041117_running_humans_2.html
Summary: A new study suggests that natural selection has designed humans as ideal distance runners. The co-author of the job, Dennis Bramble, has researchers studying a variety of human traits. From the traits they look at, they conclude that through these adaptations, the human species were better suited to compete with other predators for food. It is theorized that apes evolved to be able to walk, and eventually run. Eventually distance running was mastered, and humans used this skill to run down and tire out their prey. Some humans have been known to be able to outrun other animals such as horses. One adaptation involves the Achilles tendon. Its springy qualities reserve energy and so prolong the distance a human can run. Another case of an energy saving adaptation is the springy, high-arched feet of humans. Scientist say that longer legs have increased humans' speed. Larger joints absorb shock better and reduce stress on the body. Also an assortment of adaptations to balance the body include broad shoulders, shorter forearms, and a larger buttocks. We have a more streamlined and balanced face, with a smaller nose and teeth than our ancestors. Scientist suggest that our skill for distance running was used to exhaust prey before we had advanced hunting tools. Some Southern Africans use this same strategy today in order to hunt antelope.
Relevance: The article describes many human adaptations that have helped our species compete for food and therefore survival. This is a clear example of natural selection. There was a variation of traits among primitive humans. Some traits were better suited for survival than other traits. As a result, the percentage of individuals with the most effective traits increased as they were producing more offspring than those without the ideal traits. In short, this is how the human species evolved from apes into long distance hunters. This is also a basic description of how evolution occurs. Natural selection evolves a species to help them compete with similar species of a similar niche.
Do these characteristics also apply to other species such as Lions, who also need distance running to hunt down their pray. Were only humans evolved over time to be runners or were other species as well?
ReplyDeleteDo humans still possess the ability to outrun these other species? It seems like humans have become slower if what this article is saying is true.
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