Evolution of Primates

1. Evolution of Primates

2. Primates • Are a group of mammals that includes lemurs, monkeys, apes and humans • Although a diverse group, they share many traits in common • Have the largest brains (compared to body size)

3. Shared Traits • Rounded heads with flattened faces • Large brain • Flexible joints (hips/shoulders) • Opposable thumbs • Binocular vision • Feet that can grasp

4. Primate Origins • All primates have similarities that lead scientists to believe they have a shared evolutionary history • Using fossil evidence, comparative anatomy, genetic and biochemical studies biologist have classified how primates evolved and diverged

5. Simple hominoid Cladogram

6. Human like primates evolve • A divergence of primates led to group of primates being formed called anthropoids • These are human like primates • Include hominoids, and new and old world monkeys • Tended to be larger and to have a larger brain, and an upright posture • Hominoids= apes (orangutans, gibbons, chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas) and humans

7. Primate lineages

8. Anthropoids • Fossils are found worldwide • However hominoid fossil only found in Asia and Africa • For this reason it is believed that humans evolved in Africa

9. Hominoids • Are broken down into 2 groups • 1. Primates that can walk upright on two legs • Gorillas chimpanzees, bonobos • 2. Humans (hominids) • Bipedal humans and their ancestors

10. Early Hominids • The fossil record from 3.2 myashowsthat early hominids walked upright, but looked both apelike and humanlike • 2 lineages • Australopithecus • Homo genus (including homo sapiens)

11. Homo Genus • The homo genus begins to thrive about 1.5-2 mya and the fossil record shows tools being used • At about 1.8 mya we see the home genus begin to use fire and hunt. • As the fossil record progresses we see evidence of culture developing and the modern homo sapiens