Kris Carlson
Postdoctoral Associate
Ph.D., Indiana University,
2002

kristian.carlson@stonybrook.edu

Primate functional morphology, musculoskeletal anatomy and positional behavior of African apes, biomechanics, bone biology, paleoanthropology, visualization techniques.

The focus of Dr. Carlson’s research is to understand the relationship between function and form in the limbs of African apes, who are the best extant analog for addressing Pliocene hominid limb morphology and positional behavior. He adopts a three-pronged approach in his research by investigating musculoskeletal anatomy, bone cross-sectional geometry, and positional behavior of bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Cross-sectional geometry of limb bones can be quantified easily through CT scanning, while positional behavior studies provide general ideas of the type and frequency of African ape behaviors, particularly their locomotor behaviors.

His interests in bone biology and paleoanthropology have led to collaborative experiments addressing taphonomic issues in South African cave sites. In particular, different patterns in skeletal element representation of baboons and bovids in faunal assemblages from Sterkfontein and Swartkrans are being investigated.

His interests in CT as a research tool and musculoskeletal anatomy have led to collaborative efforts with researchers at the University of Zurich in which the evolution of ontogeny in the hominoid cranium is being investigated.

Selected Publications:

Carlson KJ. 2002. Shape and material properties of African pongid femora and humeri: their relationship to observed positional behaviors. Ph.D. Dissertation, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Pickering TR and Carlson KJ. 2002. Baboon bone mineral densities: implications for the taphonomy of primate skeletons in South African cave sites. J Archaeol Sci 29:883-896.

Carlson KJ, and Pickering TR. 2003. Intrinsic qualities of primate bones as predictors of element representation in modern and fossil carnivore feeding assemblages. J Human Evol 44: 431-450.

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