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Hominid Evolution

Hominid Evolution. Monkeys. Hominins are organisms that is more closely related to a human than a chimpanzee Chimps are our closest relative of the primates There is a large amount of confusion about their origin To understand where we came from we have to understand where they came from.

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Hominid Evolution

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  1. Hominid Evolution

  2. Monkeys • Hominins are organisms that is more closely related to a human than a chimpanzee • Chimps are our closest relative of the primates • There is a large amount of confusion about their origin • To understand where we came from we have to understand where they came from

  3. Monkeys • Humans are a member of the order primates • This means we have opposable thumbs, flexible hips and shoulders, forward facing eyes and increased sensory processing abilities • Primates are generally found in the tropical or sub tropical regions of Asia, Africa or South America

  4. Monkeys • A common misconception is that humans evolved from monkeys • Monkeys are their own branch in the order of primates • Old World monkeys (Asia and Africa) were the first to evolve • They do not have a prehensile tail and their nostrils open downward

  5. Monkeys • New World monkeys are found in the Americas and probably came on logs and debris • NWM have prehensile tails, wide set nostrils and are all tree dwelling

  6. Apes • The remaining primates are “Apes” • Lesser Apes are gibbons and Siamangs  • These are classified as hylobatidae • These are smaller, have more slender limbs and have less sexual dimorphism than their other ape counterparts

  7. Apes • Great Apes are classified as the sub order homininea • These include orangutans, gorillas, chimps and humans • These all lack tails, large brain size compared to body size, have broad flat faces and a socialized culture

  8. Apes • http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/animal-planet-presents/videos/almost-human-chimps-human-tools.htm

  9. Hominins • There have been 20 species of hominins that have been discovered through evolutionary history • Each and every one has been more related to humans than chimps

  10. Hominins • Since hominins only appeared 7 million years ago, there were several periods where several hominin organisms appeared at once on the earth • However many of those species died out • Around one million years ago there was only the homo genus left

  11. The Starting Lineup • There were many discoveries along the line to understanding human evolution • There are several different genus and species that are well researched or particularly important

  12. The Starting Lineup • The Australopithecusgenus is a genus of extinct bipedal organisms with a smaller brain • Evidence that they were bipedal comes from their hip joints, their spinal chord position and limb position

  13. The Starting Lineup • The genus homo is a collection of great apes that are characterized by the evolution of larger brains • Brain size relative to body size can be an indicator of intelligence • However it does matter how the brain is developed and shaped

  14. The Major Players • Australopithecus afarensis appeared roughly 4 million years ago • They had small brains, a protruding face and walked upright • Probably lived in small social groups like modern apes • Most famous fossil is “Lucy”

  15. The Major Players • Homo habilisstands for “handy man” • Appeared around 2.2 million years ago • Small brain size (510cc – 690cc) • Well known for mastering a set of stone tools that allowed them to be more successful in their environment • Thought to be a scavenger instead of a hunter

  16. The Major Players • Homo erectus means “upright man” • Appeared around 1.9 million years ago • Much larger brain size than habilis(940cc avg) • Thought to be a hunter that used tools to help • Evidence of the use of fire, however no evidence of cooking • First evidence of leaving Africa

  17. The Major Players • Homo neanderthalensis had a massive brain size (1600cc avg) • However it was structured differently than ours • .3% difference in DNA (that is two times larger than the largest human gap) • Ranged from Europe to Central Asia • Possible cause of many or modern traits • Probably driven extinct by modern humans

  18. Major Players • Homo sapiens means “thinking man” • Brain size averages 1350cc • Characterized by a large brain and a complex social environment • Amazing ability to alter their ability to alter the environment

  19. Frontal Lobe • The large and complex frontal lobe is theorized to be on of the major reasons for the survival of homo sapiens • It is the center that allows us to have complex thought, metacognition and complex planning • This allows Homo sapiens to have the ability to live in many different environments

  20. Frontal Lobe • Many studies have been done on people with damaged frontal lobes • The most famous is Phineas Gage • He damaged his frontal lobe while working on a train track • Later his doctors reported he had difficulty keeping plans, use very profane language, and had little ability to balance his “intellectual faculties and animal propensities”

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