The thermoregulatory advantages of large body size for hominids foraging in savannah environments

Bibliographic Collection: 
MOCA Reference, APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Wheeler, P.E.
Year of Publication: 1992
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Pagination: 351 - 362
Date Published: 10/1992
Publication Language: eng
ISBN Number: 0047-2484
Keywords: Body Size, dehydration, energetics, foraging, hominid, sexual dimorphism, thermoregulation, water consumption
Abstract:

Estimates are presented of the net thermal loads, and associated drinking water requirements, experienced by naked bipedal hominids weighing between 10–100 kg. The increase in body size observed in the hominid fossil record would have conferred significant advantages to these primates when foraging on dispersed resources in open equatorial environments, where drinking opportunities were limited. Larger hominids dehydrate more slowly and are able to cover a greater distance each day before encountering thermoregulatory constraints. This substantially increases the home range area, and consequently the quantity of dietary resources, to which they would have had access. The potential relevance of these thermoregulatory factors to the high degree of sexual size dimorphism in early hominids is discussed.

Short Title: Journal of Human Evolution
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