TED-Ed: Pruney fingers: A gripping story - Mark Changizi

The video explores why fingers get pruney when wet, suggesting they function like rain treads to improve grip. Historical observations noted that nerve-damaged patients didn't get pruney fingers, leading to hypotheses about their purpose. The video compares pruney fingers to rain treads and river networks, suggesting they channel water away to enhance grip. Experiments confirm that pruney fingers improve grip in wet conditions, indicating an evolutionary advantage for primates in wet environments.

What evidence supports the idea that pruney fingers enhance grip in wet conditions?

In what ways might pruney fingers be considered a crucial part of the primate repertoire?