1. THE ORDER OF PRIMATES The forest as the human birthplace

2. Primate evolution and taxonomy

3. The impact of the forest on human evolution Eyes that look forward: stereoscopic vision From mammalian paws to hands and feet From large litters to fewer offspring. Closer mother / child bond – greater maternal care Increase in vocalization Restructuring of the brain

4. Africa as the human birthplace Monkeys are found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas Apes evolved in Africa and Asia, but not in the Americas.  Africa: Chimpanzees, Gorillas  Asia: Gibbon, Orangutan Hominids evolved only in Africa.

5. Gibbon

6. Orangutan

7. Gorilla

8. A look at our closest relatives: chimpanzees

9. Geographical distribution of chimps

10. Increase in mother – child bond

11. Chimpanzee social bonds

12. Chimpanzee tool use

13. Summary The forest prepared the basic physical and behavioral platform from which humans were to emerge. Primate evolution occurred in forests around the tropical world. The cutting edge of human evolution occurred in Africa. The closest biological and behavioral relatives of humans are the chimpanzees.