Primate cortical bone microstructure: relationship to locomotion.

Mechanical factors are implicated in the control of osteonal (Haversian) remodeling. Twenty primate species, representing a diverse range of locomotor behaviors, have been examined to determine whether the arrangement of secondary osteonal bone at femoral mid-diaphysis reflects behaviorally related biomechanical influences. The proportion of bone cortex occupied by secondary osteons (percent osteonal bone) is related to the biomechanical environment of these femora. Percent osteonal bone delineates groups which correspond to other skeletal and kinesiological categorizations of primate locomotion and distinguishes among arboreal quadrupedal, terrestrial quadrupedal, suspensory, and bipedal primates.