Estudo anatômico comparativo do membro pélvico - músculos da região posterior da coxa do primata Sapajus sp. (macaco-prego) associado ao uso de ferramentas e bipedalismo

Abstract

Capuchin monkey is the popular name of the genus Sapajus. They are primates that adapt well to different environments, which allows them a wide geographic distribution. These primates are known for their locomotor behavior, exhibiting intermittent bipedalism that is associated with transportation and the use of tools for food handling. The use of anatomical information to justify the behavior of this primate is scarce, especially the anatomy of the pelvic limb and its correlation with bipedalism. The present study aimed to describe the gross anatomy of the muscles of the posterior thigh region of neotropical primates (Sapajus sp and Callitrix sp), Old World primates (Papio), Apes (Hylobates, Pongo, Gorilla and Pan) and modern humans. Compare the results obtained from Sapajus with the other primates in the study. To describe the locomotor habits of the animals studied and to correlate the bipedal abilities of Sapajus and compare them with the corresponding data for the other primates. For this, ten adult specimens of Sapajus and three of Callithrix were used. The dissection was performed with emphasis on the muscles of the pelvic limb, posterior region of the thigh. The collected data were analyzed and compared with the patterns described for Papio, Hylobates, Pongo, Gorilla, Pan and modern humans, mainly in anatomical and behavioral terms. In the statistical analysis, the non-parametric comparative method was used to associate the different species with their anatomical concepts of normality and variation in nominal variables, which allows the correlation of muscle characteristics. In fact, between modern humans and other primates, the difference was expected due to human evolution to true bipedalism. The muscular pattern of the pelvic limb, posterior region of the Sapajus thigh, in comparison with the primates included in this study, presents greater similarity with Papio, Pongo and Pan. However, a high similarity between the Neotropical primates studied here was expected, but this was not observed. Interestingly, the level of similarity between Sapajus and Old World primates was high, which can probably be associated with the locomotor habit practiced by this primate. However, the scarce data on Neotropical and Old World primates make it difficult to carry out a deeper analysis, thus indicating the need for further studies of the macroscopic anatomy of these primates. Information needed for morphological comparisons and taxonomic review.