Vortigern99
Sorcerer Supreme
Below I've compiled a list of the known ancestors of modern hominidae (great apes and humans). My purpose in compiling it is threefold:
For now, here is the list I've compiled, with "mya" meaning how many "millions of years ago" a species is thought to have lived, plus region of habitation, physical and behavioral traits, diet and habitat where known. In between entries, I've also added some comments in italics. The list may be incomplete and may contain errors. My hope is that you will help me complete it and correct any mistakes or oversights:
Ancient Primates
(some of which are our ancestors, some merely relatives)
Eurchonta (65 mya – 45 mya: Africa) Superorder which includes subdivisions Primatomorpha (including Primata and proto-Primata Plesiadapiformes.) Plesiadapis had claws, bilateral eyes, was faster on ground than in trees, spent a longer time on lower branches, ate fruits and leaves. Carpolestes had grasping digits.
Notharctus (50 mya: Africa) Ancestor of modern prosimians but with shorter face, binocular vision, elongated fingers with thumb, flexible spine.
Darwinius massilae (47 mya: Africa) 3’ long including tail. Had fingers, fingernails, big toe, opposable thumb, short face (unlike modern prosimians), binocular vision, ankle bone (like modern humans), no grooming claw and no tooth comb (unlike modern prosimians). Possibly intermediate between Prosimians and simians. Famous specimen known as “Ida”.
Prosimians (wet-nosed primates or strepsirrhini) split from monkeys and apes (dry-nosed primates or Haplorrhini) some 40 mya.
Aegyptopithecus (35 mya – 33 mya: Africa) Old World-monkey-like, tree-dwelling ancestor of Catarrhini, stayed in Africa as continents drifted
Catarrhini split into two super-families, Old World monkeys and apes, some 25 mya.
Morotopithecus (21 mya: Africa) Upright spine, vertical body plan.
Hominidae (humans and great apes) split from Hylobatidae (gibbons and siamangs) some 15 mya.
Homininae (humans, gorillas and chimps) split from Ponginae (orangutans) some 13 mya.
Pierolapithecus (13 mya: Europe [Spain] and possibly Africa) Flat, wide ribcage, stiff lower spine, flexible wrists, shoulder blades that lie along the back all indicate ape-like, tree-dwelling features. Monkey-like features include a sloped face and short fingers and toes. Oldest known common ancestor of humans and great apes.
Sivapithecus (12.5 mya – 8.5 mya: Asia [India and Pakistan]) Almost 5’ tall. Many similarities to orangutan skull and somatic features indicate one of three species probable ancestor to Pongo.
Dryopithecus (12 mya - 9 mya: Africa, Europe and Asia) 2’ long. Flat-handed wrist-joint and probable brachiation suggests ground- and tree-dwelling. Possible common ancestor of Hominidae and Hylobatidae.
Bipedalism: Climate changes 11-12 mya affected forests in Eastern and Central Africa, leading to periods where openings in forest prevented travel through the tree canopy. Some hominins adapted upright walking for ground travel, like modern orangs do on small, flexible branches or on the ground.
Hominini (humans and chimps) split off from Gorillini some 10 mya.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (7 mya: Central Africa) Teeth and skull more hominin-like than ape-like. Possibly latest known common ancestor of chimps and humans, or oldest known human ancestor after the human/chimp split, or related to both but ancestral to neither, or is a female proto-gorilla. Thickened brow ridges similar to later fossil hominids such as Homo erectus, but different from Australopithecus and extant humans. Possibly bipedal based on anterior position of foramen magnum. Brain case 340 – 360 cc.
Genus Homo (humans) split off genus Pan (chimps) some 7 mya. Both chimps and humans have a larynx that repositions during the first two years of life to a spot between the pharynx and lungs.
Orrorin tugenensis (6 mya: East Africa) Size of modern chimpanzees (~5’ tall). A mix of ape and hominin features. Femur similar to Australopithecus afarensis, but also similar to modern Homo sapiens. Possible biped. Earliest known ancestor that post-dates the chimpanzee/human separation. Small canines suggest fruit, vegetables and occasionally meat. Evidence of dry evergreen forest habitat calls into question the opinion that bipedalism evolved later, on the savanna.
Ardipithecus kadabba (5.8 – 5.2 mya: Northern Africa) Size of modern chimps. Shares certain traits with Gorilla and Pan, indicating proper placement on chimp branch rather than human. Shares “canine cutting complex” with modern chimpanzees, not shared by Homo. Evidence of woodland, grassland and swamp habitat.
Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 mya: Northern Africa) Size of modern chimps. Shares certain traits with Gorilla and Pan, indicating proper placement on chimp branch rather than human, but has dentition similar to Australopithecus. Lacks “canine cutting complex” which modern chimps have, a primitive trait lost during hominin evolution. Possible biped based on toe structure. Not considered hominin ancestor by scholars. Evidence of woodland, grassland and swamp habitat.
Australopithecus afarensis (4 mya – 2.5 mya: Eastern and Northern Africa) 3’6” – 4’ tall. Slender, gracile, but some specimens show robust jaw. Canines ‘and molars’ size between modern humans and modern and extinct apes. Brain size ~380-430cc. Prognathic face. Curved feet and long arms indicate some arboreal locomotion, but hips and other skeletal features indicate bipedal locomotion with upright posture on ground. Robust jaw in some specimens may indicate ancestry only of more robust genus Paranthropus, and not Homo, though this is debated. Famous specimens include “Lucy”, the “First Family”, the Laetoli prints, and “Lucy’s Baby”, aka “Selam”.
Australopithecus anamensis (4.2 – 3.9 mya) Jaw similar to chimp. Teeth similar to human. Possible woodland habitat.
Kenyanthropus platyops (3.5 mya: East Africa) Emerged from Australopithecus genus. “Flat-face”.
Australopithecus africanus (3 mya – 2.5 mya) Slender, gracile, human-like but with curved, ape-like fingers. More like modern humans than older A. afarensis. More human-like cranium, larger brain at about 400-500cc. Intermembral index closer to chimps than humans, but hips built for better bipedal locomotion than A. afarensis. Cranium also similar to P. robustus, indicating possible ancestry of that more robust hominid. Famous specimens “Taung Baby” and “Mrs. Ples”.
Paranthropus (2.5 mya – 1.5 mya) 4’3” – 4’6” tall. Brain size 40% of modern H. sapiens. Robust skeleton. Sagittal crest anchored large jaw muscles for masticating grasses and other plants, grubs. Probable woodland habitat. Specialized, not as adaptable as Homo. Species boisei, aethiopicus, robustus.
Which specimens can be classified as genus Homo is an on-going debate. Some of the features proposed as qualifications include a precise hand grip, a minimum brain capacity between 600-900cc, and small teeth.
Homo habilis (2.4 – 1.4 mya: South and East Africa) 3’ tall. 500cc brain size, 60% of modern H. sapiens. Smaller molars, larger brains than Australopithecus. Ate a range of foods, including some meat and bone marrow, which provided protein for brain growth. A weaker jaw also allowed cranial expansion. Probably used stone tools, likely was inventive and used teamwork to solve problems.
Homo rudolfensis (1.9 mya: East Africa) Similar to H. habilis. Relatively large brain at 800cc. Might have been partly arboreal. Scavengers, competed with habilis for resources.
Homo ergaster (1.8 mya – 1.4 mya: Africa, Europe and Asia [Java]) Lankier, more sophisticated than H. habilis. Possibly showed whites of eyes to communicate hidden depths of meaning. Possibly less body hair than previous hominins. Possibly had spoken language. Possibly wore some furs or hides. First hominin species to leave Africa. Famous specimen called “Java Man”.
Homo georgicus (1.5 mya) “Dmanisi Man” Intermediate morphology between H. habilis and H. erectus. Possibly had control of fire. Possibly had dark skin, some degree of loss of body hair. Possible sub-species of H. erectus.
Homo erectus (1.6 mya – 400 kya: Africa, Europe and Asia [China]) 5’10” tall. Dental and skeletal differences distinguish from H. ergaster, though they are related. Brain 70% capacity of modern H. sapiens. Forehead less sloping, teeth smaller than predecessors. Possibly less hairy than predecessors, possibly wore clothes. Evolved in Africa but found mostly in Asia. Possibly used fire for cooking. Used handaxes to cut, chop and dig. Famous specimen called “Peking Man”.
Homo antecessor (1.2 mya – 800 kya: Africa and Europe) 5’6” – 6’ tall. Similar to H. ergaster and H. heidelbergensis, but more robust; possible direct ancestor of those species. 1000cc brain capacity. Protruding occipital bun. Low forehead, lack of strong chin. Owing to flensed bones of specimens, may have been cannibalistic. May have been right-handed, may have had symbolic language. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens”, H. sapiens antecessor or H. mauritanicus.
Homo heidelbergensis (650 kya – 250 kya: Africa and Europe) 6’ tall. Brain capacity 93% of modern H. sapiens. Morphologically similar to H. erectus, but with larger brain. Most recent direct ancestor to both H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens” or H. sapiens heidelbergensis.
Homo rhodesiensis (300 kya – 125 kya: Africa and Europe) 1200 – 1400cc brain capacity. Thick skull, promiment brow, lack of chin distinguish from modern H. sapiens. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens” or H. sapiens rhodesiensis.
Homo neanderthalensis (250 kya – 30 kya: Europe) Large brains, cared for infirm, buried dead with implements. Also formerly known as “Archaic H. sapiens” or “H. sapiens neanderthalensis”, but owing to genetic studies there is now little debate they that they are own species.
Homo sapiens idaltu (160 kya) Mortuary rituals, butchered hippos. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens”.
Homo floresiensis (30 kya) Diminutive size. Possible descendant of H. erectus.
Homo sapiens (200 kya – 4.5 kya) 1600cc brain capacity. Painting, sculpture, refined tools, precision grip. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens”.
Homo sapiens sapiens (4.5 kya – present) Look in the mirror!
1. To show that with so many transitional forms, the anthropological fossil record is very complete and thorough, even if our understanding of the precise phylogeny (which species evolved into which, and which are merely related species with no direct ancestry to us) is not.
2. To show that the term "missing link" (most recently applied to Darwinius massilae) is a wildly inaccurate media invention, because a.) the term could easily apply to just about any species on the list, and b.) nothing appears to be "missing" [see 1.), above].
3. The current trend of saying that human beings are "apes", because we are in the same Superfamily (Hominoidea) as apes, is confusing and unnecessarily broad, since distinctions are made at every level of the taxonomic "tree". More on this in a future post.
2. To show that the term "missing link" (most recently applied to Darwinius massilae) is a wildly inaccurate media invention, because a.) the term could easily apply to just about any species on the list, and b.) nothing appears to be "missing" [see 1.), above].
3. The current trend of saying that human beings are "apes", because we are in the same Superfamily (Hominoidea) as apes, is confusing and unnecessarily broad, since distinctions are made at every level of the taxonomic "tree". More on this in a future post.
For now, here is the list I've compiled, with "mya" meaning how many "millions of years ago" a species is thought to have lived, plus region of habitation, physical and behavioral traits, diet and habitat where known. In between entries, I've also added some comments in italics. The list may be incomplete and may contain errors. My hope is that you will help me complete it and correct any mistakes or oversights:
Ancient Primates
(some of which are our ancestors, some merely relatives)
Eurchonta (65 mya – 45 mya: Africa) Superorder which includes subdivisions Primatomorpha (including Primata and proto-Primata Plesiadapiformes.) Plesiadapis had claws, bilateral eyes, was faster on ground than in trees, spent a longer time on lower branches, ate fruits and leaves. Carpolestes had grasping digits.
Notharctus (50 mya: Africa) Ancestor of modern prosimians but with shorter face, binocular vision, elongated fingers with thumb, flexible spine.
Darwinius massilae (47 mya: Africa) 3’ long including tail. Had fingers, fingernails, big toe, opposable thumb, short face (unlike modern prosimians), binocular vision, ankle bone (like modern humans), no grooming claw and no tooth comb (unlike modern prosimians). Possibly intermediate between Prosimians and simians. Famous specimen known as “Ida”.
Prosimians (wet-nosed primates or strepsirrhini) split from monkeys and apes (dry-nosed primates or Haplorrhini) some 40 mya.
Aegyptopithecus (35 mya – 33 mya: Africa) Old World-monkey-like, tree-dwelling ancestor of Catarrhini, stayed in Africa as continents drifted
Catarrhini split into two super-families, Old World monkeys and apes, some 25 mya.
Morotopithecus (21 mya: Africa) Upright spine, vertical body plan.
Hominidae (humans and great apes) split from Hylobatidae (gibbons and siamangs) some 15 mya.
Homininae (humans, gorillas and chimps) split from Ponginae (orangutans) some 13 mya.
Pierolapithecus (13 mya: Europe [Spain] and possibly Africa) Flat, wide ribcage, stiff lower spine, flexible wrists, shoulder blades that lie along the back all indicate ape-like, tree-dwelling features. Monkey-like features include a sloped face and short fingers and toes. Oldest known common ancestor of humans and great apes.
Sivapithecus (12.5 mya – 8.5 mya: Asia [India and Pakistan]) Almost 5’ tall. Many similarities to orangutan skull and somatic features indicate one of three species probable ancestor to Pongo.
Dryopithecus (12 mya - 9 mya: Africa, Europe and Asia) 2’ long. Flat-handed wrist-joint and probable brachiation suggests ground- and tree-dwelling. Possible common ancestor of Hominidae and Hylobatidae.
Bipedalism: Climate changes 11-12 mya affected forests in Eastern and Central Africa, leading to periods where openings in forest prevented travel through the tree canopy. Some hominins adapted upright walking for ground travel, like modern orangs do on small, flexible branches or on the ground.
Hominini (humans and chimps) split off from Gorillini some 10 mya.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (7 mya: Central Africa) Teeth and skull more hominin-like than ape-like. Possibly latest known common ancestor of chimps and humans, or oldest known human ancestor after the human/chimp split, or related to both but ancestral to neither, or is a female proto-gorilla. Thickened brow ridges similar to later fossil hominids such as Homo erectus, but different from Australopithecus and extant humans. Possibly bipedal based on anterior position of foramen magnum. Brain case 340 – 360 cc.
Genus Homo (humans) split off genus Pan (chimps) some 7 mya. Both chimps and humans have a larynx that repositions during the first two years of life to a spot between the pharynx and lungs.
Orrorin tugenensis (6 mya: East Africa) Size of modern chimpanzees (~5’ tall). A mix of ape and hominin features. Femur similar to Australopithecus afarensis, but also similar to modern Homo sapiens. Possible biped. Earliest known ancestor that post-dates the chimpanzee/human separation. Small canines suggest fruit, vegetables and occasionally meat. Evidence of dry evergreen forest habitat calls into question the opinion that bipedalism evolved later, on the savanna.
Ardipithecus kadabba (5.8 – 5.2 mya: Northern Africa) Size of modern chimps. Shares certain traits with Gorilla and Pan, indicating proper placement on chimp branch rather than human. Shares “canine cutting complex” with modern chimpanzees, not shared by Homo. Evidence of woodland, grassland and swamp habitat.
Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 mya: Northern Africa) Size of modern chimps. Shares certain traits with Gorilla and Pan, indicating proper placement on chimp branch rather than human, but has dentition similar to Australopithecus. Lacks “canine cutting complex” which modern chimps have, a primitive trait lost during hominin evolution. Possible biped based on toe structure. Not considered hominin ancestor by scholars. Evidence of woodland, grassland and swamp habitat.
Australopithecus afarensis (4 mya – 2.5 mya: Eastern and Northern Africa) 3’6” – 4’ tall. Slender, gracile, but some specimens show robust jaw. Canines ‘and molars’ size between modern humans and modern and extinct apes. Brain size ~380-430cc. Prognathic face. Curved feet and long arms indicate some arboreal locomotion, but hips and other skeletal features indicate bipedal locomotion with upright posture on ground. Robust jaw in some specimens may indicate ancestry only of more robust genus Paranthropus, and not Homo, though this is debated. Famous specimens include “Lucy”, the “First Family”, the Laetoli prints, and “Lucy’s Baby”, aka “Selam”.
Australopithecus anamensis (4.2 – 3.9 mya) Jaw similar to chimp. Teeth similar to human. Possible woodland habitat.
Kenyanthropus platyops (3.5 mya: East Africa) Emerged from Australopithecus genus. “Flat-face”.
Australopithecus africanus (3 mya – 2.5 mya) Slender, gracile, human-like but with curved, ape-like fingers. More like modern humans than older A. afarensis. More human-like cranium, larger brain at about 400-500cc. Intermembral index closer to chimps than humans, but hips built for better bipedal locomotion than A. afarensis. Cranium also similar to P. robustus, indicating possible ancestry of that more robust hominid. Famous specimens “Taung Baby” and “Mrs. Ples”.
Paranthropus (2.5 mya – 1.5 mya) 4’3” – 4’6” tall. Brain size 40% of modern H. sapiens. Robust skeleton. Sagittal crest anchored large jaw muscles for masticating grasses and other plants, grubs. Probable woodland habitat. Specialized, not as adaptable as Homo. Species boisei, aethiopicus, robustus.
Which specimens can be classified as genus Homo is an on-going debate. Some of the features proposed as qualifications include a precise hand grip, a minimum brain capacity between 600-900cc, and small teeth.
Homo habilis (2.4 – 1.4 mya: South and East Africa) 3’ tall. 500cc brain size, 60% of modern H. sapiens. Smaller molars, larger brains than Australopithecus. Ate a range of foods, including some meat and bone marrow, which provided protein for brain growth. A weaker jaw also allowed cranial expansion. Probably used stone tools, likely was inventive and used teamwork to solve problems.
Homo rudolfensis (1.9 mya: East Africa) Similar to H. habilis. Relatively large brain at 800cc. Might have been partly arboreal. Scavengers, competed with habilis for resources.
Homo ergaster (1.8 mya – 1.4 mya: Africa, Europe and Asia [Java]) Lankier, more sophisticated than H. habilis. Possibly showed whites of eyes to communicate hidden depths of meaning. Possibly less body hair than previous hominins. Possibly had spoken language. Possibly wore some furs or hides. First hominin species to leave Africa. Famous specimen called “Java Man”.
Homo georgicus (1.5 mya) “Dmanisi Man” Intermediate morphology between H. habilis and H. erectus. Possibly had control of fire. Possibly had dark skin, some degree of loss of body hair. Possible sub-species of H. erectus.
Homo erectus (1.6 mya – 400 kya: Africa, Europe and Asia [China]) 5’10” tall. Dental and skeletal differences distinguish from H. ergaster, though they are related. Brain 70% capacity of modern H. sapiens. Forehead less sloping, teeth smaller than predecessors. Possibly less hairy than predecessors, possibly wore clothes. Evolved in Africa but found mostly in Asia. Possibly used fire for cooking. Used handaxes to cut, chop and dig. Famous specimen called “Peking Man”.
Homo antecessor (1.2 mya – 800 kya: Africa and Europe) 5’6” – 6’ tall. Similar to H. ergaster and H. heidelbergensis, but more robust; possible direct ancestor of those species. 1000cc brain capacity. Protruding occipital bun. Low forehead, lack of strong chin. Owing to flensed bones of specimens, may have been cannibalistic. May have been right-handed, may have had symbolic language. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens”, H. sapiens antecessor or H. mauritanicus.
Homo heidelbergensis (650 kya – 250 kya: Africa and Europe) 6’ tall. Brain capacity 93% of modern H. sapiens. Morphologically similar to H. erectus, but with larger brain. Most recent direct ancestor to both H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens” or H. sapiens heidelbergensis.
Homo rhodesiensis (300 kya – 125 kya: Africa and Europe) 1200 – 1400cc brain capacity. Thick skull, promiment brow, lack of chin distinguish from modern H. sapiens. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens” or H. sapiens rhodesiensis.
Homo neanderthalensis (250 kya – 30 kya: Europe) Large brains, cared for infirm, buried dead with implements. Also formerly known as “Archaic H. sapiens” or “H. sapiens neanderthalensis”, but owing to genetic studies there is now little debate they that they are own species.
Homo sapiens idaltu (160 kya) Mortuary rituals, butchered hippos. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens”.
Homo floresiensis (30 kya) Diminutive size. Possible descendant of H. erectus.
Homo sapiens (200 kya – 4.5 kya) 1600cc brain capacity. Painting, sculpture, refined tools, precision grip. Also known as “Archaic H. sapiens”.
Homo sapiens sapiens (4.5 kya – present) Look in the mirror!
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