Evolution of Hominids

1
Evolution of Hominids

• Human relatives
• The ancestors of our species, based on fossil and
  DNA evidence

2
Our closest living relatives are Primates

• Eukaryotes
• Animals
• Chordates
• Mammals
• Primates

3
What is a Primate

• Opposable thumbs
• Eyes forward
• Depth of vision

4
Primates that stand on two feet are called
HOMINIDS

• Only one species currently living
• Many extinct species

5
Foramen Magnum Position is under the brain in
hominids, toward the back in other animals
Coyote
Chimp
Human
6
Pelvis is curved around in hominids
Chimp
Human
7
Bipedal hominid
Quadrapedal primate
8
So what about fossil intermediates?
Locations of Hominid Fossil Finds
9
Are Hominid and Apes related?
10
Chimp of today
Human of today
Australopithecus afarensis
11
Human
Chimp
12
Other intermediate characters
Cranial Capacity
Palate structure
A. afarensis
Human
Chimp
13
Australopithecines
Homo erectus
14
Were Australopithecines bipedal?
Chimp
Human
Australopithecus bosei
15
Hominids

• Australopithecus no tools
• Homo makes, not just uses tools

16
Australo vs. Homo
17
Other Homo species?
Locations of Hominid Fossil Finds
18
Chimp hominid skulls (d-gtn Homo)