Human Evolution

Chapter 32

Outline

Evolution of Primates
Mobile Limbs
Binocular Vision
Evolution of Hominids
Early Homo
Modern Humans
Human Variation

Evolution of Primates

The evolution of primates is characterized

by trends towards mobile limbs, grasping
hands, a flattened face, binocular vision, a
large, complex brain, and a reduced
reproductive rate.

Mobile Limbs

Most primates have flat nails as well as

sensitive pads on the undersides of fingers
and toes.
Many also have both an opposable big
toe and thumb.
Mobile limbs and clawless opposable digits
allow primates to freely grasp and release
tree limbs.

Primate Hands

Binocular Vision

Stereoscopic vision and resultant depth

perception allows primates to make
accurate judgments about distance and
position of adjoining tree limbs.

Primate Characteristics

Opposable thumb
Nails instead of claws.
Single births
Binocular vision
Expanded, complex brain.
Emphasis on learned behavior.

Evolution of Primates

Prosimians were the first type of primate to

diverge from the human line.
Surviving anthropoids are classified into
three superfamilies.
New World monkeys
Old World monkeys
Hominoids

Hominoid Evolution

Proconsul is believed ancestral to hominids.

Evolution of Hominids

Phylogenetic tree indicates humans are

most closely related to African apes.
Last common ancestor appears to have
lived about 7 mya.
Genetic changes used as a molecular
clock to measure relatedness of
different groups.

Hominids

To be a hominid, a fossil must have an

anatomy suitable for standing erect and
walking on two feet.
Bipedalism
Human anatomy differs from that of an
ape largely because humans are
bipedal while apes are quadrupedal.

Australopithecines

It is possible that one of the

australopithecines that evolved and
diversified in Africa 4 mya is a direct
ancestor of humans.
Southern Africa
Australopithecus africanus
Eastern Africa
Australopithecus afarensis

Evolution of Early Homo

Homo habilis, dated between 2.0 an 1.9

mya, may be ancestral to modern humans.
Skulls suggest portions of the brain
associated with speech were enlarged.
Ability to speak may have led to hunting
cooperatively and the advent of culture.

Human Evolution

Homo erectus

Homo erectus and like fossils are found in

Africa, Asia, and Europe and are dated
between 1.9 and 0.3 mya.
Larger brain and flatter face than Homo
habilis.
Much taller than previous hominids.
Believed to have first appeared in Africa
and then migrated into Asia and Europe.
First hominid to use fire.

Evolution of Modern Humans

Most researchers believe Homo sapiens

evolved from Homo erectus.
Multiregional Continuity Hypothesis
Similar evolution occurred in many
different places.
Out-of-Africa Hypothesis
H. sapiens evolved from H. erectus only
in Africa, and thereafter migrated to
Europe.

Evolution of Modern Humans

Neanderthals

Neanderthal (H. neanderthalensis)

skeletons were first discovered in
Germanys Neander Valley.
Skeletons date back 200,000 years.
Massive brow ridges with protruding
nose, jaws, and teeth.
Heavily muscled.
Culturally advanced.
Manufactured variety of tools.

Cro-Magnons

Oldest fossils to be designated H. sapiens.

Modern humans who entered Asia and
Europe from Africa 100,000 years ago.
Made advanced stone tools.
Accomplished hunters.
Hunted cooperatively.
First to have language.

Human Variation

It has been hypothesized that human

variations evolved as adaptations to local
environmental conditions.
Bergmanns Rule - Animals in colder
regions of their range have a bulkier body
build.
Allens Rule - Animals in colder regions of
their range have shorter limbs, digits, and
ears.

Human Variation

Comparative study of mitochondrial DNA

shows differences among human populations
are consistent with their having a common
ancestor no more than a million years ago.

Review

Evolution of Primates
Mobile Limbs
Binocular Vision
Evolution of Hominids
Early Homo
Modern Humans
Human Variation