Topics Primates vs. other mammals Sub orders and super family Hominin evolution – Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus, Australopithecus Human cladogram ?? Pre-agricultural, post-agricultural, post-industrial human societies – Cultural evolution – human impact on biosphere

Primates first appeared ~56 mybp - paleoanthropology Ch. 22 – Evolution of Primates p. 457-458. Primates first appeared ~56 mybp - paleoanthropology Arboreal lineage (lived in trees) Evolved the opposable highly flexible digits: thumb with other four fingers with nails instead of claws - Provide excellent grasp of tree branches Seen to greater or lesser extent in the feet, depending on the life style of the primate Long slender limbs suited to climbing and treetop mobility Video 1 – First primates Video 2 – Simple classification

Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates

Large brains, social animals, work together as a group Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates p. 458. Eyes in front - excellent stereoscopic vision - needed to climb, capture food Excellent hearing Large brains, social animals, work together as a group Long life span, late sexual maturity Females bear usually one baby; long gestation and long nurturing and protection of baby

Lesser apes, great apes, humans Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates p. 458-459. Lesser apes, great apes, humans

Anthropoids – Monkeys, apes and humans Origin – North Africa and Asia Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates pp. 459-465. Anthropoids – Monkeys, apes and humans Origin – North Africa and Asia Relative brain size – cerebrum – highly developed center of learning, voluntary movement and interpretation of sensations

Hominin evolution – Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates pp. 464-466. Hominin evolution – Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus

Human and Ape Skeletal Features Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates pp. 462-471. Human and Ape Skeletal Features Human skeletons - need for upright walking - as a ground dwelling ape Human curvature of the spine - adaptation to provide better balance and weight distribution for bipedalism Human foramen magnum - Underneath the skull Lacks supraorbital ridge – have U-shaped jaw Pelvis adjusted for upright walking Foot evolved for ground dwelling, fast running - opposable thumb has been lost Out-of-Africa Model based on Y chromosome data

Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates

Agriculture Greatly changed humans Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates pp. 469-471. Agriculture Greatly changed humans No need to forage; hunter-gatherers became more stable Resulted in more permanent dwellings, towns Agriculture started in several areas, yet cereals (corn, wheat, rice) critical; can be produced in large quantity Domestication of animals easier to obtain food, clothing from domesticated animals Agriculture - more productive than hunting and gathering - more efficient use of food, allowing other human activities to develop

Cultural Evolution All primates - genetically very similar Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates pp. 470-471. Cultural Evolution All primates - genetically very similar Humans 98% identical to gorillas; 99% to chimpanzees Slight genetic difference - greater intelligence, power of reasoning Reasoning leads to cultural evolution, which refers to the control of lifestyle by passing on information from one generation to other Important basic element is development of language, allowing information transfer Cultural evolution drives change in society, changed/eliminated natural environments

Effect on Biosphere Cultural evolution - effects on the natural world Ch. 22 – The Evolution of Primates pp. 470-471. Effect on Biosphere Cultural evolution - effects on the natural world Pollution Massive population growth Concentration of agriculture; similar concentration of people in cities Over fishing Over grazing Loss of arable land Alarming rate of spp. extinction Humans now realize the need to protect the land, water, air and biota