Figure 5.

Workspace (WS) values relative to object size in fossil hominins compared with extant Pan and H. sapiens. The bold lines and symbols represent the mean value for each taxon and the lightly shaded areas for Pan and H. sapiens represent the standard deviation. The maximal WS line represents the highest achievable WS for each object size and was determined by finding the combination of segment lengths that resulted in the highest possible WS. All fossil hominins have a larger WS for smaller objects (R < 0.15) compared with Pan. Using Pan-like trapeziometacarpal mobility, Au. afarensis composite hand and Au. sediba have a lower WS than fossil and extant Homo, but with human-like mobility are similar to these taxa. All taxa generally have a similar WS for objects greater than R = 0.15. (Online version in colour.)