The type specimen (LB1) of Homo floresiensis did not have Laron Syndrome

Bibliographic Data

ID8313573
AuthorsD Falk (0000-0003-1654-0469, Florida State University, corresponding author), Charles Hildebolt, Charles F Hildebolt (0000-0002-0229-6795, Mallinckrodt (United States)), Kirk Smith (0000-0002-8735-7576, Mallinckrodt (United States)), William L Jungers (0000-0002-8092-1429, Stony Brook University), William Jungers, G Larson (0000-0003-4057-2954, Stony Brook University), Susan Larson, M J Morwood (University of Wollongong), Michael Morwood, T Sutikna (0000-0002-9742-4226), Jatmiko (0000-0002-2593-2395), Jatmiko Jatmiko, E Wahyu Saptomo, Fred Prior (0000-0002-6314-5683, Mallinckrodt (United States))
Year2009
Volume140
Issue1
Pages52-63
Publication date2009-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.21035
PMID19294744
OpenAlexW2116818114
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited60

The type specimen (LB1) of Homo floresiensis has been hypothesized to be a pathological human afflicted with Laron Syndrome (LS), a type of primary growth hormone insensitivity (Hershkovitz et al.: Am J Phys Anthropol 134 [2007] 198–208). Comparing measurements, photographs and three‐dimensional, computed‐tomography reconstructions of LB1 with data and diagnoses from the literature on LS, we critically evaluate numerous skull and postcranial traits that Hershkovitz etal. identified as being shared by LB1 and patients with LS. The statements regarding most of these traits are new to the clinical literature and lack quantitative support. LB1 and patients with LS differ markedly in the size and shape of the cranium; thickness and pneumatization of cranial bones; morphology of the face, mandible, teeth, and chin; form of the shoulder, wrist, and pelvis; and general body proportions including relative foot size. Claims that patients with LS are similar to LB1 in displaying protracted scapulae, short clavicles, low degrees of humeral torsion, flaring ilia, and curved tibiae are not supported by data or corroborating images. Some points of similarity (e.g., femoral neck‐shaft angle, femoral bicondylar angle, and estimated stature) can be found in other hominins, and cannot be considered diagnostic. From our review and analysis, we conclude that LB1 did not suffer from LS. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc

Biology · Chin · Postcrania · Skull · Anatomy · Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factors · Medicine · Orthodontics · Paleontology

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