Section 16.1 Human Evolution

Objectives Recognize the adaptations of primates Compare and contrast the diversity of living primates Distinguish the evolutionary relationships of primates

Human Evolution Primates: adapted for an arboreal (tree-dwelling) existence. Primates range in size from the 30-gram (1 oz) Pygmy Mouse Lemur to the 200-kilogram (440 lb) Mountain Gorilla.

Primate Classification I. Prosimians- Lemurs and tarsiers. Cat-like face, large eyes Oldest primate: Purgatoriosus (squirrel sized).

II. Old world Monkeys (tails) Ex. Baboons, Mandrill From Africa and Asia Larger than other primates.

III. New World Monkeys (flat-nosed) Ex. Howler monkey, pygmy marmoset (world’s smallest monkey) Smaller than other primates Exist in Central and South America

IV. Great Apes Larger-bodied, no tail Primarily ground dwelling

A) Orangutans (orange-man) Borneo (Asia)- found only Asia orang hutan, meaning "forest person". (orange-man) Borneo (Asia)- found only Asia

B) Gorilla Largest living primate Central Africa Mountain gorilla Lowland gorilla The DNA of gorillas is 98%–99% identical to that of a human

C) Chimpanzees and Bonobos West and central Africa, Congo river species are the closest living relatives to humans The Common Chimpanzee has an omnivorous diet, a troop hunting culture based on beta males led by an alpha male, and highly complex social relationships.

D) Humans DNA evidence indicates that modern humans originated in east Africa about 200,000 years ago Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection and problem solving.

Human Ancestors I. Australopithecus afrensis: southern ape-man, a far region of Ethiopia Had a small brain size

Lucy (Australopithecus) Fossil discovered by Don Johansen Oldest- known upright waling hominid- (means human) Shorter than modern humans Lived between 3 and 5 million years ago

Characteristics of Lucy 1 meter tall About 60 lbs Brain size of Lucy 450 cc or cm 3 (cubic centimeters) (1cc=1ml or 450 grams or ½ pound

Proof of Bipedalism Bipedal: Walked upright on two legs Evidence: Locking knee cap Straightened spine Broader hip Forarmen magnum is the bottom of the skull (skull hole)

Advantages of upright walking Stand taller Move more efficiently, long distances Freed up hands for: Food gathering Defense-weapon and tool use

Lucy Facial Features: No forehead Heavy brow ridge Wide flat nose Projecting (prognathic) jaws Human-like teeth, no canines

II. A africanus 3.6 -2.4 MYA (million years ago) Bipedal 60-90 lbs Human-like teeth Sexual dimorphism-difference in size and structure between the genders Fossil- “Taung Baby’ Raymond Dart- 1924

Africanus- gracile Robust-A. robustus A. boisei side branch (not our ancestor) Large jaws and molars for eating nuts and roots (side note) Gracile: skinny, thin, small, graceful Robust: husky, fat

III. Homo habilis “handy man” First stone tool users Louis Leakey:1964 750 cc/750 mL- brain size Lived 1.8- 2 MYA Smaller molars Scavengers not hunters Tools used to scrape meat or break bones for marrow

IV. Homo erectus “Upright man” 1.6 million – 250,000 years ago Evolved to be very “Human Like” Skeleton: longer and stouter Height: 6 ft Tool Users: hand axe Lived in family groups Hunted larger game First fossil: 1891 “Java Man”

Migrated out of Africa Fossils have been found in Spain, Russia, Indonesia, and Middle East First to use fire

Out of Africa: Homo sapiens evolved in Africa and migrated out Out of Africa: Homo sapiens evolved in Africa and migrated out. The different races represent slight regional differences

Multi Regional Theory Homo erectus migrated out an evolved independently in the different races of homo sapiens.

V. H. neandertalenis Neanderthal man formerly a subspecies of H. sapiens 150,000-30,000 years ago Short, stocky 5 ft tall Large, broad nose Well adapted for cold Aggressive hunter Not a direct ancestor of H. sapiens

First to bury their dead Stones marked their graves

Neanderthal Extinction Coincides with the appearance of modern humans in Europe Killed by humans Interbred with humans Infected by human diseases Out-competed by modern humans/ out-smarted by early humans

VI. Homo sapiens “Wise Humans” Archaic H. Sapiens: (Ancient) Appeared 150,000 years ago He did not seem to have culture, or creativity Did evolve in Central Africa

VI. Homo sapiens (continued) Modern Humans: Appeared 50,000 years ago Highly advanced tool making Hunter gatherers Agriculture and civilizations

Alternatives Anti Evolution: beliefs which try to debunk science. Pseudo Science: not based on scientific method. Anomalous: doesn’t fit the accepted theory Anachronism: Something out of place in time

creationism A literal belief in the biblical account of Creation as it appears in the Book of Genesis. Creationists believe that the creation of the world and all its creatures took place in six calendar days; they therefore deny the theory of evolution.

intelligent design   The assertion or belief that physical and biological systems observed in the universe result from purposeful design by an intelligent being rather than from chance or undirected natural processes.