Markus Bastir

Objectives: Entheses are commonly used to infer past activity patterns, yet their interpretation is limited by the combined effects of mechanical loading and intrinsic biological factors. This study addresses this issue by integrating an Early Medieval population from Pohansko (Czechia; 9th–10th centuries CE) with a Spanish modern professional athlete reference sample characterised by well‐defined activity regimes. Materials and Methods: Lower limb entheseal areas of the gluteus medius , gluteus maximus , vasti , gastrocnemius , and soleus muscles were quantified in the archaeological individuals and in Modern Athletes (sprinters, endurance runners, climbers) using 3D modeling and the VERA protocol. Non‐adjusted and size‐adjusted data were analysed using univariate and multivariate approaches. Results: Modern Athletes exhibit significantly larger entheseal areas than Pohansko individuals for all muscles except the soleus , supporting the relationship between cumulative mechanical loading and entheseal development. Multivariate analyses differentiate both samples and distinguish locomotor strategies among athletes, with the soleus enthesis contributing most strongly to functional variation. Sexual dimorphism is consistent and male‐biased in athletes but variable and enthesis‐specific in the Pohansko sample. Discussion: Our results highlight the potential and limitations of entheseal areas for reconstructing behavioral and functional variation in past populations. In Modern Athletes, only the soleus enthesis distinguished climbers from runners, regardless of sex, but not sprinters from endurance runners. In Pohansko, it displayed marked female–male differences, consistent with a sex‐based division of labour. These findings suggest that lower limb entheses differ in their sensitivity to mechanical loading, with the soleus primarily reflecting locomotor loading rather than sex differences.

Quantifying biological motion is fundamentally tied to quantifying the biological structures that produce that motion. Yet, this dependence makes it essential to decouple motion from static morphology to enable general, comparable analyses across individuals and conditions. In this work, we present a methodological pipeline to study biological motion data obtained from experimental motion capture of human breathing kinematics before and after maximal exercise (gold‐standard optoelectronic plethysmography markers). We used four‐dimensional geometric morphometrics (4DGM; 3D shape through time) to characterize breathing patterns while standardizing torso shape and expiratory and inspiratory times. Results showed not only differences in breathing pattern before and after maximal exercise, but also differences in motion pattern associated with BMI and torso shape. Specifically, we found higher thoracoabdominal asynchrony in low‐BMI subjects compared with high‐BMI subjects. We also found a strong covariation between torso shape and the 3D trajectory of motion, demonstrating the power of the method to detect a shape‐to‐function signal even with a small sample size. This method is proposed as a flexible tool to separate biological motion from its underlying structure, which is particularly useful for studying complex systems. In the case of breathing pattern, it is proposed to investigate possible applications in clinical settings to test whether it detects differences between healthy and pathological kinematics, in sport sciences to attempt to link respiratory function to performance, and in evolutionary studies as a possible tool for inferring respiratory function in extinct morphologies.

Objectives: Rib cross‐sectional mineralized area provides valuable insights into mechanical loading and bone growth and remodeling. Given the scarcity of Early Pleistocene costal remains in the context of human evolution, we aimed to study the cross‐sectional anatomy of fossil ribs from that period and compare them to a modern human ontogenetic series ranging from 8 to over 30 years of age. Materials and Methods: We extracted the rib cross section at the midshaft of 6 fossil ribs attributed to several H. antecessor individuals and 10 fossil ribs of the H. erectus s. l. specimen KNM‐WT 15000. Then we compared their relative mineralized area with that of the full, unilateral costal series of 27 H. sapiens individuals spanning different ontogenetic stages (pre‐pubescent, post‐pubescent, adult). Results: Our findings indicate that rib cross‐sectional mineralized area of H. antecessor is close to that of subadult H. sapiens , sharing a similar U‐shaped trend along the costal series. Values are considerably lower compared to KNM‐WT 15000, which shows a higher mineralized area at the middle thoracic rib levels rather than at the extremes. Discussion: Despite possible taphonomic alteration of fossil ribs, these results suggest a different, possibly derived pattern of rib cross‐sectional mineralized area in H. antecessor compared to more primitive Early Pleistocene hominins. However, considering the earlier ontogenetic stage of KNM‐WT 15000, we cannot discard that ribs of H. antecessor belong to individuals exhibiting a postcranial growth pattern similar to that of H. erectus s. l., but at a more advanced phase in development.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in emphysema, where hyperinflation alters diaphragm geometry and impairs inspiratory mechanics. However, quantitative three‐dimensional (3D) assessments of diaphragmatic dome shape and motion across COPD phenotypes are limited. This study applied 3D geometric morphometrics (3DGM) to characterize diaphragmatic kinematics and curvature in COPD patients compared to controls. We prospectively enrolled 126 adults: 40 COPD patients (17 bronchitis‐predominant, 23 emphysema‐predominant) and 86 asymptomatic controls. All underwent high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) at functional residual capacity (FRC) and total lung capacity (TLC). Diaphragmatic form was quantified using landmark and semilandmark configurations. Curvature was estimated by fitting circular arcs to the domes. Statistical comparisons included Procrustes MANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), and non‐parametric tests. Centroid size (CS) was significantly larger in COPD, reflecting dome flattening at both lung volumes. Inspiratory size increment (ΔCS) was reduced in emphysema, particularly in females. PCA showed diminished shape change between FRC and TLC in COPD, with overlapping configurations, in contrast to distinct phases in controls. PC2 highlighted flatter domes in COPD. Curvature analysis revealed significantly larger radii in COPD, especially at TLC. In COPD, the right dome was flatter than the left, whereas controls showed the opposite. The right dome retained greater curvature change, especially in emphysema. COPD patients, particularly those with emphysema and females, exhibit diaphragmatic flattening and reduced inspiratory deformation. Asymmetrical dome behavior, with preserved right dome mobility, may reflect compensatory adaptation. 3DGM offers a valuable tool for respiratory phenotyping in COPD.

Recent research on the Nariokotome Boy’s ribcage suggests the slender thorax of modern H. sapiens is a derived condition. However, since digital ribcage reconstructions of fossil H. sapiens are not available yet, it is unknown whether these individuals would have had a primitive or derived thorax. To address this issue, we first reconstructed the ribcages of Nazlet Khater 2, Ohalo II H2, Dolní Věstonice 13, and Ötzi. We used geometric morphometrics to compare them to 59 recent H. sapiens and three other Homo fossils (Nariokotome Boy, Kebara 2, Shanidar 3). Fossil H. sapiens ribcages exhibit the typical globular proportions of recent humans. Additionally, size and shape seem to be climate-dependent: smaller, cylindrical ribcages in warmer and more temperate climates (Nazlet Khater 2, Ohalo II H2) contrasted with larger, broader ribcages in colder climates (Dolní Věstonice 13). The ribcage of Ötzi presented mixed features, something that could have been beneficial for seasonal alpine transhumance. This suggests H. sapiens ribcage morphology encompasses both slender and stockier forms, highlighting that human anatomical variation might be more complex and context-dependent than previously thought.

Insects are the most diverse but least appreciated animals, and Natural History Museums are vital for communicating their ecological importance. Entomological drawers display insect variety, but their power to engage is limited by the format of mounted specimens arranged behind glass. Advances in digitization provide opportunities to design accessible outreach drawers that increase public and educational engagement. Here, we describe the development of a digitizing-printing workflow for 3D scanned insect replicas that can be readily adopted at other museums and educational institutons. We used the open-source scAnt platform and common printing methods to create a set of specimen replicas showcasing anatomical and ecological entomodiversity. Applications of the workflow are exemplified by two outreach activities conducted at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC, Spain). The first, during an annual science communication event aimed at children (European Researchers’ Night), used the 3D replicas and original specimens in an interactive game to teach about insect identification. The second was a painting workshop used to inform discussion by museum staff and students about insect colouration; and afterwards we surveyed participants’ perceptions of 3D replicas as an educational resource. Here, we detail the workflow to provide guidance for creating 3D-replica outreach drawers. We then describe the two case studies and discuss potential benefits and applications of scanned and printed insect models. Our experiences lead us to encourage museum curators and educators to explore the opportunities provided by digital technologies to increase sensory engagement with insect collections whilst maintaining the necessary protection of sensitive specimens.

Introduction: This study examines cranial morphological variations across populations adapted to different climates, with a focus on cold adaptation. Using a 3D geometric morphometric approach, the study analyzes skull variability between populations from various latitudes and climates. Two null hypotheses are tested: (1) differences in skull size and shape are unrelated to climate, and (2) no differences exist between populations with recent versus ancient cold adaptation.Material and Methods: Skulls from five populations across different climates were analyzed using 3D geometric morphometrics. Landmarks were digitized, and statistical analyses were performed to evaluate size and shape variations among the populations.Results: One‐way ANOVA Bonferroni post hoc analysis revealed significant size differences. Norsemen differed significantly from all other samples, except Sub‐Saharan Africans. Cold‐adapted populations exhibited larger skull sizes, whereas populations from mild and hot climates had smaller skulls. However, Norsemen exhibited unexpectedly smaller sizes. Notable anatomical disparities are observed along both PCs. PC1+ showed increased prognathism and wider faces in Southern Patagonia and Greenland Thule. PC2+ highlighted larger faces and sloping foreheads in Southern Patagonia and European populations. Median shape analysis reveals pronounced prognathism and wider skulls in Southern Patagonia, with Greenland Thule showing similar traits but with a more globular braincase.Conclusion: Notable craniofacial similarities associated with extreme cold adaptation, including increased prognathism, prominent glabellar and supraciliary regions, lateral zygomatic expansion, enlarged nasal cavity and orbits, and elongated, flattened braincase, despite genetic differences. However, the Norse sample presents a deviation from expected patterns, exhibiting smaller sizes despite inhabiting a cold region.

The present corrigendum corrects errors that occurred in Brecko J. et al. (2025). https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.976.2797