Editing Pierolapithecus (section)

== Locomotion ==
Overall, the [[adduction]] and [[supination]] capacity of the wrist, specially built thorax, [[Scapula|scapular]] shift to the back (which was inferred through the long, [[chimpanzee]]-like clavicles), and stiff lumbar vertebrae suggest that positional behavior and [[Orthograde posture|orthograde]] locomotion were emphasized. This type of movement is diagnostic for all extant [[ape]]s including [[human]]s, but it is rarely documented in the fossil record. Other hominids that have this suite are ''[[Oreopithecus]]'' and, although less skeletally complete, ''[[Dryopithecus]]''. Earlier taxa—''[[Proconsul]]'', ''[[Afropithecus]]'', ''[[Equatorius]]'', ''[[Nacholapithecus]]''—retain basal characters and the similarly-aged ''[[Morotopithecus]]'' practiced orthograde locomotion but was probably sister to apes (based on facial structure). The shortened phalanges suggest ancestral [[palmigrade]] adaptations, but it is unlikely ''Pierolapithecus'' practiced much or any [[Suspensory behavior|suspensory]] behavior. However, vertical climbing and suspension are independent abilities that are integral to ape evolution. Below-branch suspension may have evolved repeatedly or in [[Convergent evolution|convergence]] later and independently in the ape lineage.<ref name="MoyaSola2004" />
[[File:Pierolapithecus patella.png|thumb|248x248px|Patella of the holotype ''P. catalaunicus'']]
Further analysis suggests that very long and curved phalanges is decoupled with orthograde features related to vertical climbing being acquired. The condition in this [[genus]] is related to a retained [[pronograde]] plan. Although the lumbars, ribs, and carpals are orthograde, the degree of this in the phalanges is only slight. Many traits were independently acquired, leading to new advances being superimposed and basal characters retained for an extended time. ''Pierolapithecus'' lacked adaptations for suspensory hanging, but it may have still been capable of doing so, only that it was not adaptively relevant.<ref name="Almécija-2009">{{Cite journal |last1=Almécija |first1=Sergio |last2=Alba |first2=David M. |last3=Moyà-Solà |first3=Salvador |date=2009 |title=Pierolapithecus and the functional morphology of Miocene ape hand phalanges: paleobiological and evolutionary implications |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0047248409000554 |journal=Journal of Human Evolution |language=en |volume=57 |issue=3 |pages=284–297 |doi=10.1016/j.jhevol.2009.02.008|pmid=19631964 |bibcode=2009JHumE..57..284A |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Although, the latter remains disputed.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Alba |first1=David M. |last2=Almécija |first2=Sergio |last3=Moyà-Solà |first3=Salvador |date=2010-07-01 |title=Locomotor inferences in Pierolapithecus and Hispanopithecus: Reply to Deane and Begun (2008) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047248410000266 |journal=Journal of Human Evolution |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=143–149 |doi=10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.02.002 |pmid=20510436 |bibcode=2010JHumE..59..143A |issn=0047-2484|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The patella was like extant apes in dimensions, which is typically regarded as having a mobile knee. ''Pierolapithecus'' differs from monkeys, [[hylobatid]]s, and basal [[hominoid]]s through thicker patellae. As such, a derived knee might be related to enhanced climbing, notably vertical climbing.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pina |first1=Marta |last2=Almécija |first2=Sergio |last3=Alba |first3=David M. |last4=O'Neill |first4=Matthew C. |last5=Moyà-Solà |first5=Salvador |date=2014 |title=The Middle Miocene Ape Pierolapithecus catalaunicus Exhibits Extant Great Ape-Like Morphometric Affinities on Its Patella: Inferences on Knee Function and Evolution |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=e91944 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0091944 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=3956854 |pmid=24637777 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...991944P |doi-access=free }}</ref> The pelvis shares an ancestral template with ''Proconsul nyanzae'', which was modified for orthograde behavior (assuming that hypothesis is accepted), and suggests [[homoplasy]] in ape pelves.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hammond |first1=Ashley S. |last2=Alba |first2=David M. |last3=Almécija |first3=Sergio |last4=Moyà-Solà |first4=Salvador |date=2013 |title=Middle Miocene Pierolapithecus provides a first glimpse into early hominid pelvic morphology |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0047248413000742 |journal=Journal of Human Evolution |language=en |volume=64 |issue=6 |pages=658–666 |doi=10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.03.002|pmid=23545221 |bibcode=2013JHumE..64..658H |url-access=subscription }}</ref>