The origins of bipedalism (Anthropology)

The origins of bipedalism.
Your textbook writes (p.294), “Bipedalism is the basic adaptation of the hominin line… What was it about bipedalism that helped our distant ancestors survive? Where they more energy efficient? Could they get more food? Were they more attractive to their mates? Many scenarios have been proposed for what selective pressures favored the origin of bipedalism…”
Wikipedia states that, “There are at least twelve distinct hypotheses as to how and why bipedalism evolved in humans, and also some debate as to when.”
Your assignment is to research and summarize theories explaining the origins of hominin bipedalism, attempting to address some of the question raised above and below, and provide your opinion about the rigor of the origin theories and strength of the evidence. In addition to the citations provided below, you might consider looking for articles on this topic in Journals like American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Nature, American Journal of Primatology, Science, American Journal of Human Biology, Anthropological Science, and Current Anthropology.
Your textbook provides an overview of this topic on pp. 294-297 along with some critiques, but to properly evaluate the arguments and evidence for the various origin theories of bipedalism you will need to review readings from beyond your textbook. Cite the primary source for information that is not commonly known. With a few exceptions, primary sources should be authors of publications in peer-reviewed journals. Several of the articles cited below are posted along with this assignment for you to download.

Here are some citations to articles and books that could be helpful:
Chen, I. (2006). Born to run. Discover, 27(5), 62.
Hewes, G. W. (1961). Food Transport and the Origin of Hominid Bipedalism. American Anthropologist, 63(4), 687-710.
Jablonski, N. G., & Chaplin, G. (1993). Origin of habitual terrestrial bipedalism in the ancestor of the Hominidae. Journal of Human Evolution, 24(4), 259-280.
Knüsel, C. J. (1992). The throwing hypothesis and hominid origins. Human Evolution, 7(1), 1-7.

The first part of your paper should define the terms “locomotion” and “habitual bipedalism” or “obligate bipedalism” as they are used by anthropologists or authors in the readings you review. With these definitions, explain existing data and theories addressing questions like:
• What are some non-human examples from the animal kingdom of habitual or obligate bipedalism?
• What kind of evidence provides clues of bipedal capabilities or habits among either pre-hominins or hominins?
• What evidence has been provided for the timing of when bipedalism became “habitual”?
• Which pre-hominins or hominins show signs of bipedalism (whether only occasional or habitual)?
DO NOT provide your opinion in the first part of the paper – just summarize the concepts and evidence impartially.
The second part of your paper should address whether you are convinced by origin theories of hominin bipedalism. This is the place where you can provide your opinion. You may comment on the plausibility of the hypotheses from your perspective, and also on your opinions about the strength of the evidence for the various origin theories. Is there an origin theory that you find particularly compelling? Do you think that more than one origin theory could be part of the explanation for how our ancestors evolved bipedalism? If so, which theories do you think might be complementary? Remember, regardless of your position, you need to show that you have a good understanding of the concepts and the phenomena considered to be evidence before you express your opinion concerning them