Sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of the non-obstetric pelvis across anthropoids.

Though all anthropoids included in the study show some degree of sexual dimorphism in non-obstetric pelvic size and/or shape, species which give birth to large neonates relative to maternal pelvic size have the highest levels of dimorphism in pelvic shape. Moreover, the magnitude of dimorphism in certain parts of the non-obstetric pelvis mirrors patterns seen in the birth canal. The results of this study are promising for ascertaining pelvic dimorphism and relative neonate size in fossil primates, particularly in fragmentary remains which do not preserve a complete bony birth canal.