Human Evolution

Classification Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus species

K- Animal P – Chordata C – Mammalian O – Primates F – Hominid G – Homo S - sapien

Evolution of Primates Members of the Order Primates

Prosimians (first ape), monkeys, Apes, Humans Thought to have evolved 60 mya

2 distinct anatomical changes seen in the Primate order1. Grasping hands and feet, nails on toes and fingers

2. Eyes moved to the front of the head, binocular vision (overlapping vision, depth perception)

Mobile forelimbs and hindlimbs Reduced reproductive rate

Prosimians – lorises, lemurs and tarsier 1st to evolve Nocturnal at night Tree dwellers Tail

36 MYA 1st see diurnal primates – active during the day,

hunting for food, competition Eyes evolved rods and cones – specialized cells that

allowed for seeing colors Anthropoids – group of primates that include

monkeys, apes and humans Old world monkeys – (lack tails, protruding noses)

Baboon, rhesus New world monkeys- (long tails, flat noses)

Spider monkey, capuchin monkey Hominids – Australopithecus, Homo

Monkeys – Opposable thumb – provides hand with

improved level of dexterity Long flexible tail

Apes – gorillas, chimps, orangutan Larger more developed brains No tail

Human Evolution - characteristics Thought to have evolved 4 – 6 mya Larger cranium capacity S shaped spine Shorter arms than legs Shape of pelvis supports upper body Jaws and teeth – more round Bipedal – ability to walk upright on 2 feet

Comparison of Gorilla and Human skeleton

Early Hominids (humans) Australopithecus (genus) – bipedal and larger

brains species: aferensis, africanus, robustus, boisei “Lucy” – fossils found by Donald Johanson in

1974, dated to be 3.2 mya

Homo genus – 2 mya Composed of at least 4 species, may be many more

Homo habilis – Handy man, found fossils with tools Homo erectus – Java Man – found on island of Java,

may have been capable of speech, and 1st to use fire Homo floresiensis – most recent discovery Homo sapien - Wise man, 34,000 years ago

Homo sapien the only living

Origin of modern humans hypotheses Multiregional continuity hypothesis –

modern humans originated separately in Asia, Europe and Africa as much as 1 million years ago. Difference in the genes is expected between

human populations at different locations Out of Africa hypothesis – modern humans

originated only in Africa and, after migrating into Europe and Asia.

Neandertals and Cro-Magnon Neandertals

Archaic humans Lived in Europe and Asia Physical features a result of adaptation to cold.

Cro-magnum Name given to modern humans Sophisticated tools Cultured as seen through cave paintings