Shape and Structural Adaptations to Locomotion in the Primate Postcranial Skeleton

Reconstructing early hominin locomotion helps explain access to food, water, shelter and mates. This talk applies three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to functional variation in the primate postcranial skeleton. High-dimensional sliding semilandmarks, coherent point drift and weighted spherical harmonics capture external shape and internal structure, providing complementary descriptions of skeletal adaptation. Comparisons across living primates inform reconstructions of early hominin locomotor repertoires and the relationship between skeletal morphology and movement.

QLS–CAMBAM hybrid seminar with Christine M. Harper (University of Washington), 2026-10-27, 12:00–13:00 Montréal time. Attend in person at 550 Sherbrooke, Room 189, McGill University, or follow the public Zoom link on the official event page. Open to the university community, including faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.