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Postcrania and the specific mate recognition system

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Human Evolution

Abstract

The Recognition Concept of Species is examined for its potential usefulness in discriminating speciation events in the hominid fossil record. Controversies over species-specific characteristics amongHomo erectus and archaicHomo sapiens have centred on traits of the skull, largely because this element is most commonly preserved. Modern humans have an intuitive knowledge of their own Specific Mate Recognition System (SMRS), and therefore have the opportunity to compare their own SMRS to that of fossil hominids and the extent pongids. Such comparison suggests that our own skeletal SMRS may depend less on features of the skull than on the morphology of the postcranial anatomy. We propose that these components be further examined in this regard. We tentatively conclude that examination of the Recognition Concept of Species indicates that from lateHomo erectus onwards, the same SMRS has been shared in common by all hominids, including modernHomo sapiens. This suggests that, following the SMRS criterion, none of these forms can be categorized as separate species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, B.C., Canada

    B. M. F. Galdikas, J. B. Duffy, H. Odwak & C. M. Purss

  2. Department d'Anthropologie, Université de Montreal, Succursale “A”, C.P. 6128, H3C 3J7, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    P. Vasey

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  1. B. M. F. Galdikas
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  2. J. B. Duffy
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  3. H. Odwak
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  4. C. M. Purss
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  5. P. Vasey
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Galdikas, B.M.F., Duffy, J.B., Odwak, H. et al. Postcrania and the specific mate recognition system. Hum. Evol. 8, 281–289 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02438118

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02438118

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