Abstract
For a long time, humans (genus Homo) were thought to be the only mammalian species capable of dextrous manual grasping. However, grasping is widespread among tetrapods, and among primates, it is associated with a wide range of morphological, dietary and locomotor variation. From an evolutionary perspective, this prompts several questions: is the origin and evolution of grasping in primates derived from requirements associated primarily with feeding or primarily with locomotor behaviour? Are there grasping abilities that are unique to humans? Who made the first tool? The main purpose of this paper is to present a short overview of grasping in primates in order to open a discussion. We show that grasping strategies vary across species, depending on food properties and the substrates used. We also demonstrate that non-human primates can control individual digits, allowing them to use their hands dextrously. Finally, we discuss the challenges that arise in distinguishing anatomical features related to grasping and the debate around the first hominin tool-makers.
Résumé
Les humains (genre Homo) ont longtemps été considérés comme la seule espèce parmi les mammifères capables de saisir avec dextérité. Pourtant, la préhension est répandue parmi les tétrapodes. Au sein des Primates, la préhension est associée à une forte variation morphologique, alimentaire et locomotrice. Dans une perspective évolutive, ce lien pose de nombreuses questions: l’origine et l’évolution de la préhension chez les primates ont elles dérivé à partir de prérequis associés en premier lieu aux comportements alimentaires ou locomoteurs ? Les capacités de préhension humaines sont-elles uniques ? Qui a fabriqué le premier outil? Le principal objectif de cet article est de présenter un court état des lieux de la préhension chez les primates actuels afin d’ouvrir une discussion. Nous montrons que les stratégies de préhension varient selon les espèces en fonction des propriétés de la nourriture et du substrat utilisé. Nous démontrons également que les primates non-humains peuvent contrôler l’individualisation de leurs doigts, leur permettant d’utiliser leurs mains avec dextérité. Enfin, nous discutons le défi que représente l’identification des caractères anatomiques liés à la préhension ainsi que le débat autour des premiers fabricants d’outils.
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Pouydebat, E., Fragaszy, D. & Kivell, T.L. Grasping in primates: for feeding, moving and human specificities. BMSAP 26, 129–133 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-014-0100-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-014-0100-7