Re: Is Oreopithicus the Aquatic Ape Link?

From: Pauline M Ross (pmross_at_ross-software.co.uk)
Date: 02/24/05 

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:09:22 +0000

On 23 Feb 2005 13:52:50 -0800, "rmacfarl" <rmacfarl@alphalink.com.au>
wrote:

>I'd suggest it's likely that the young of earliest bipeds, including
>a'piths, were much more developed than human newborns, &, like chimp &
>other primate babies, were probably well able to cling to their mothers
>from birth.

I've always thought that those curved phalanges suggestive of
tree-climbing in the Lucy-era Apiths are the best indication so far
that they were furred and had babies able to cling. You can't climb a
tree while carrying a baby in your arms. 

-- 
Pauline Ross