Referential Model

Improved Essays
1. What is the difference between a referential model and a conceptual model?

Referential models and Conceptual models are two models that scholars continuously debate on which model is the most useful in the reconstruction of the history of hominin evolution. In the article, Pickering and Domínguez-Rodrigo used Jim. Moore’s interpretation of a referential model. Moore stated that in referential model there is no single typological modern species, but a set of differences is observed between populations of the highly variable species. Paleontologists use referential models to reconstruct extinct species by comparing similar features of the extinct species to the living one. Thus, referential models have become useful in reconstructing the
…show more content…
Research shows that chimpanzees did not live in open grass lands, but there is a possibility of ecological similarity between certain chimpanzees and early hominins based on newly reconstructed paleohabitats. The newly reconstructed paleohabitats represent a savanna and a relevant to the type of savanna that extant chimpanzees currently occupy. Modern chimpanzee populations habitats range from uniformly dense rainforests to open savannas. Therefore, Pickering and Domínguez-Rodrigo concluded that by understanding the variation in hunting behavior of savanna and forest dwelling chimpanzees, one can begin to model the hunting behavior of hominins. Pickering and Domínguez-Rodrigo also deduced that chimpanzees and early hominins share a similar aspect of ecology, which is seasonality. For chimpanzee hunting, research indicates that the frequency of chimpanzee hunting varies and there are currently differing opinions on why chimpanzees hunt. However, Pickering and Domínguez-Rodrigo maintain that chimpanzee hunting coincides with the protein compensation hypothesis, even though the hypothesis lacks sufficient data. Pickering and Domínguez-Rodrigo note similarities between Mio-Pliocene hominin hunting and chimpanzee hunting, which included early hominins like chimpanzees occupied seasonal savannah habitats, and these paleohabitats would have experienced seasonal fluctuation, which would have caused protein/nutrient availability to fluctuate as well. Therefore, hominins would have consumed animal carcasses to gain proteins, which is similar to the protein compensation technique found in chimpanzee hunting. Lastly, early hominins and chimpanzees used similar hunting mechanisms for smaller prey, for since there is no record of hominins having hammering tools prior to 2.6 Ma, hominins hunting likely

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    The chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and the bonobo (Pan paniscus) are the two closest living relatives of humans. While, bonobos and chimpanzees are very similar to each other, they also differ in many significant ways. However, in some ways they resemble more closely to humans than to each other. For example, chimpanzee males are much more aggressive and violent, especially when competing for a mate or a rank within the group. This violence can be lethal.…

    • 742 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Also, chimpanzees consume bark from trees and bushes. Humans do not consume bark and insects, although humans and chimpanzees both consume leaves. In fact, both species consume fruit, meat, eggs, and seeds. But when it comes to meat chimpanzees eat it raw while humans normally do…

    • 519 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Hominin Evolution Theory

    • 1736 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The hominin evolution theory is the idea of Homo sapiens sapiens (AMHs) evolved from a lineage of hominins in Africa. The purpose of the project is to determine the genus and species of seven skulls discovered by Dr. Musoma in Africa, Europe and Asia, approximate the age of each skull, interpret the evolutionary pathway of each species, and provide evidence for and against the “Out of Africa” theory. The purpose of the project with be completed and evidence on the “Out of Africa” theory will be found. Based upon the information left with each of the seven skulls, the remains can be identified with the appropriate genus and species. For all seven skulls, Dr. T. C. Musoma left the cranial capacity, location and the artifacts, if any, found with…

    • 1736 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Pan Troglodytes With a genetic code of 98.4% - 99.4% identical to human beings, and a lineage that matches our own all the way to the family hominidae it comes as no surprise that of all the variety of species and living organisms that chimpanzees would seem the most human-like. Below I intend to discuss the chimpanzee’s taxonomy, morphology, habitat, and social structure. The chimpanzee’s taxonomy, or pan troglodytes (species name for the chimpanzee) hails from the genus: pan, family: hominidae, super family: Hominoidea, infraorder: simiiformes and suborder: Haplorrhini. Known sub-species include P. t. Schweinfurthii, P. t. Troglodytes, P. t. Vellerosus, and P. t. Verus.…

    • 1289 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Primate Observation Essay

    • 1963 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Humans and primates share many similarities, in fact, such behaviors of humans are greatly reflected in primates. Even though, there are still many primates in the wild the easiest way to observe primates is at a local zoo. For the purpose of observing two primates, I made a visit to Los Angeles Zoo on a very sunny day, September 4, 2016 at 1pm. My visit to the zoo was a quite exhausting one since the weather was almost 90 degrees and I was quite hungry.…

    • 1963 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In discovering the capabilities of bonobos and chimpanzees making use of sophisticated pre-agricultural tools this potentially changes the way hominin evolution developed. Such usage of tools was once regarded as a particular characteristic of archaic pre-humans. Bonobos were observed performing complex action such as using tools to extract food, or using spears for attack or defense. Bonobos are similar to chimpanzees, but previously bonobos did not show a cultural diversity in use of tools as much as their chimpanzee siblings. In studies of chimpanzees for example, they have been able to use branches to dig for tubers or turn them into spears in order to hunt for small prosimians.…

    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Primates Human Behavior

    • 904 Words
    • 4 Pages

    To this point only humans were believed to possess material culture. Now chimps were not only using a tool but teaching their young how to do so. The fact that this is a learned behavior and not simply instinct is seen in that only certain groups in specific areas use this method. Chimps in other parts of Africa do not demonstrate this ability. Other groups of chimps employ rocks to crack open nuts while groups elsewhere use sharpened sticks to hunt prey (Primates).…

    • 904 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The most important aspect of life is time and what everyone can come to see is how over time people change. In modern day, there is always a new advancement in some different field. Back then when primates roamed the world, a different perception of continent in which they lived in, there was a completely different world. The amount of difference in the world they lived in to the one we live in is tremendously big. Even though it was not even compared, the primates that lived indeed compared in certain behaviors like the modern human.…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Non Human Primate

    • 894 Words
    • 4 Pages

    It was noticed that Tim took paternal interest in his son. Tim was seen poking his fingers through the partition in attempt to reach his son. Katie and Tim missed each other and would sit next to one another with the partition in between them. Soon after the family was reunited and Tim took part in George’s upbringing. This study of the chimpanzee family has shown how chimpanzees have feelings and created bonds with one another.…

    • 894 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Primate Social Groups

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The behaviors and emotions of primates have developed through natural selection to support the social group. Likewise, human behaviors and emotions are harvests of evolution maintained within social groups. Therefore, making lead way for many rules, laws, and systems in human societies that are meant to justify our subconscious behaviors and emotions and to prevent us from abandoning them rather than to restrain us from enlightening them. In this paper I would like to provide ecological information that shows the difference between bonobos and common chimpanzees.…

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Jane Goodall’s time spent with the Chimpanzees, she had one particular method of observance which undeniably let her gain the greatest comprehension of these intricate creatures. This method was termed the “Banana Club” by Jane Goodall. This concept is where she would follow a daily systematic feeding method which she used to gain trust and to obtain a more thorough understanding of everyday chimpanzee behavior. Using this method, she became closely acquainted with more than half of the Tanzanian reserve's one hundred or more chimpanzees. She imitated their behaviors, spent time in the trees with them, and ate their foods.…

    • 1048 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The subject of evolution is widely debated topic. However there is a wide variety of evidence that supports evolution. By studying the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics and natural selection scientists have been able to support Charles Darwin’s theory (evolution). This report will focus on evidence from the fossil record as well as genetics.…

    • 1222 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Aaron Cole, Anthropology Essay, Rebecca Frank, May 30, 2015 “I believe in evolution, scientific inquiry, and global warming; I believe in free speech, whether politically correct or politically incorrect, and I am suspicious of using government to impose anybody 's religious beliefs -including my own- on nonbelievers.” That brilliant quote was written by President Barack Obama in his book, The Audacity of Hope. I for one, completely agree with this statement. When we talk about what evolution truly means there is a disconnect in the scientific community. Throughout this course I have started to question everything I thought I knew about evolution and what it truly means to be a human.…

    • 2014 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Chimpanzees will occasionally hunt and kill other mammals, often monkeys, but otherwise restrict themselves to fruit and sometimes insects. Humans are much more dependent on meat – humans can only obtain vitamin B12 naturally through…

    • 1415 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Primate Behavioral Habits

    • 2002 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Primate Research John Richard Tecuautzin Primate Research The purpose of this project is to do research and to take note of the behavioral habits between two primate species. This project will major on the orangutan species and the gorilla species. In addition to the research, I will allocate each primate time to enable me monitor their behavior and habits. Gorillas and the orangutans live in the forests where they spend most of their time in the trees and eat wild fruits and plants as a means of survival.…

    • 2002 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays