what subsequent evolutionary changes seem to have resulted from the bipedal gait of early hominids?

Answer 1

Although most primates are capable of walking erect on two legs, most prefer to "hand walk" using all four limbs for locomotion. The preferred bipedal stance of humans most likely evolved soon after our ancestors left the trees. Selection pressure favoured those individuals who were able to look over the grass of Africa's plains and see farther. This enabled them to more easily view prey, distant waterholes, etc.

The secondary benefit of a bipedal stance was freeing our hands for manipulation only. Because our closest relatives the chimpanzees and gorillas have to use their hands for walking as well as grasping, their thumbs have to be articulated much more strongly than ours. This results in a lesser range of motion. Human thumbs can move much more freely- but this also means it is much more easy to dislocate our thumbs.

Another change that can be noticed in the early hominids is the point of attachment between the skull and cervical vertebrae moved from the back of the skull to the bottom, allowing the head to balance on top of the spine rather than being held up by the effort of muscles.

Answer 2

Bipedal Gait