Today: the real Hobbits Exams returned F 2/19 Homework #2 is due M 2/22

How might limited resources affect the evolution of a species?

Human Evolution Fig 34.40

Human Population Growth Fig as of 2/14 at 6pm: 6,802,790,917

Carrying Capacity exponential growth stationary phase Fig 53.12

What limits Carrying Capacity?… Fig 53.12

Space …Availability of resources.

Availability of resources and removal of waste limits carrying capacity Fig 55.4

Webpages and Articles about Homo floresiensis (the video) (longer video) (part 1 of 7) For updated info (2009): See textbook pg The little people of Flores

H. floresiensis: A new species?

Asian island of Flores

Liang Bua where remains were found

Typical objects found. Tools and bones.

Artists rendering of H. floresiensis

floresiensis and sapien skull

Comparison of size: Pygmy, European, and H. floresiensis

Pygmy elephant

What about the tools? Was floresiensis “smart”?

H. sapien and H. floresiensis brain

Relative brain to body size

The shape and size of the brain of H. floresiensis indicates that it was organized differently than the brain of H. sapiens.

So…Several individual skeletons were found of a small population ranging in age from ~90,000 – 18,000 years ago. They have relatively small brains, but might have been able to do sophisticated things.

Homo floresiensis: Are they a distinct species, and if so, how are we related?

Trait diversity may vary in different populations 57”65”73”

Human Evolution Fig 34.40

H. floresiensis: A new species?

Yes: the number of similar individuals, the dates of existence (~90,000–18,000 years old), and the different morphology.

There is much controversy over H. floresiensis

Alternate hypotheses and rebuttals: Skeletons represent humans with brain damage. Skeletons represent humans with severe iodine deficiency: Rebuttal to iodine deficiency: Wrist bones are very different from humans: There is much controversy over H. floresiensis

Next: What is ecology... Exams returned F 2/19 Homework #2 is due M 2/22