Anatomy & Physiology Unit 6: Human Evolution

Classification Hierarchy

Kingdom Animal Phylum Chordate Class Mammal Order Primates Family Hominids Genus Homo Species Sapiens

Evolution of Primates

The evolution of primates is characterized by trends towards: mobile limbs grasping hands (with opposable thumbs) a flattened face binocular vision a large, complex brain (for learned behavior) a reduced reproductive rate

Mobile Limbs

Most primates have flat nails as well as sensitive pads on the undersides of fingers and toes. Many also have both an opposable big toe and thumb. Mobile limbs and clawless opposable digits allow primates to freely grasp and release tree limbs.

Primate Hands

Binocular Vision

Stereoscopic vision and resultant depth perception allows primates to make accurate judgments about distance and position of adjoining tree limbs.

Evolution of Primates

Prosimians were the first type of primate to diverge from the ancestral primate line. Surviving anthropoids are classified into three superfamilies.

New World monkeys Old World monkeys Hominoids

Hominoid Evolution

Proconsul is believed ancestral to hominids.

Evolution of Hominids

Phylogenetic tree indicates humans are most closely related to African apes.

Last common ancestor appears to have lived about 5-7 million years ago (mya)  Genetic changes used as a molecular clock to measure relatedness of different groups.

Hominids

To be a hominid, a fossil must have an anatomy suitable for standing erect and walking on two feet.

Bipedalism  Human anatomy differs from that of an ape largely because humans are bipedal while apes are quadrupedal.

Australopithecines

It is possible that one of the australopithecines that evolved and diversified in Africa 4 mya is a direct ancestor of humans. Southern Africa  Australopithecus africanus Eastern Africa  Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy)

Lucy

A reconstruction of Lucys skeleton Lucy is ~ 3.5-millionyears-old Australopithecus afarensis

adaptations in Lucys hip, leg and foot allowed a fully bipedal means of locomotion

Hominid Footprints

Preserved in volcanic ash in Tanzania Discovered in 1978 Proved hominids were bipedal walkers at least 3.5 million years ago Most scientists think the footprints were made by A. afarensis, whose fossils are found nearby

Landscape with A. afarensis

Re-creation of a Pliocene landscape showing members of A. Afarensis gathering and eating various fruits and seeds

Evolution of Early Homo

Homo habilis, dated between 2.0 an 1.9 mya, may be ancestral to modern humans.

Skulls suggest portions of the brain associated with speech were enlarged.  Ability to speak may have led to hunting cooperatively and the advent of culture.

Human Evolution

Skull of Homo erectus

A reconstruction of the skull of Homo erectus

a widely distributed species whose remains have been found in Africa, Europe, India, China, and Indonesia

Homo erectus

Homo erectus and like fossils are found in Africa, Asia, and Europe and are dated between 1.9 and 0.3 mya. Larger brain and flatter face than Homo habilis. Much taller than previous hominids. Believed to have first appeared in Africa and then migrated into Asia and Europe. First hominid to use fire.

Homo erectus Using Tools Re-creation of a Pleistocene setting in which Homo erectus use fire & stone tools

Evolution of Modern Humans

Most researchers believe Homo sapiens evolved from Homo erectus. Multiregional Continuity Hypothesis  Similar evolution occurred in many different places. Out-of-Africa Hypothesis  H. sapiens evolved from H. erectus only in Africa, and thereafter migrated to Europe.

Evolution of Modern Humans

Neanderthals

Neanderthal (H. neanderthalensis) skeletons were first discovered in Germanys Neander Valley. Skeletons date back 200,000 years.  Massive brow ridges with protruding nose, jaws, and teeth.  Heavily muscled.  Culturally advanced.  Manufactured variety of tools.

Reconstructed Neanderthal skull

characterized by prominent heavy brow ridges and week chin

Burial Ceremony in a Cave Neanderthals lived in caves and had ritual burials, such as this depiction from Shanidar Cave, Iraq

Neanderthals (190,000 27,000 yrs ago)

Flaked stones that fit in wood handles. Buried their dead with spices and bedding. Built sturdy huts. Made flutes!

A flute formed from a femur & 4 remaining holes.

Cro-Magnons Homo sapiens

Oldest fossils to be designated H. sapiens. Modern humans who entered Asia and Europe from Africa 100,000 years ago.

Made advanced stone tools. Accomplished hunters.  Hunted cooperatively. First to have complex language?

Painting From a Cave in France

Cro-Magnons were very skilled cave painters

Painting of a horse from a cave in France

Homo Floresiensis (hobbits)

- one meter high - lived in Flores 12,000 yrs ago - Upright posture - 380 cc cranial size (like a chimp)

The shapes & sizes of hominid heads can be seen to evolve with time.

Australopithecus vs. Modern

Australopithecus, 4-3 myrs ago

Modern human

Chimpanzee

Cranial Comparisons

Homo Erectus

Neanderthal

Homo Sapiens

Cultural Evolution

With the appearance of Cro-Magnons, human evolution has become almost entirely cultural rather than biological Humans have spread throughout the world by devising means to deal with a broad range of environmental conditions

Homo Sapiens 100,000 yrs ago

Art: Cave Paintings, Venuses

Oldest paintings: Chauvet (32,000 yrs old)

Peche Merle (15,000 yrs old)

Lascaux (17,000 yrs old)