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Conversely, locomotor-related features such as hip joint orientation and muscle moment arm geometry differ, indicating distinct stance and gait adaptations. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that evolutionary constraints traditionally framed as an \u201cobstetrical dilemma\u201d may have involved a trade-off between childbirth and pelvic floor stability, rather than between childbirth and locomotor performance.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.2535303123","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,17]],"date-time":"2026-08-17T19:05:00Z","timestamp":1786993500000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.cm10313","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Insights into Neanderthal development, childbirth, and locomotion from the Palomas and Dederiyeh pelves"],"prefix":"10.1073","volume":"123","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2523-3700","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Christoph P. 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