Hominidae

CHARACTERS OF PRIMATES Introduction – The members of the order primate are characterized by having forward-facing eyes and very flexible fingers, legs and arms that assist them to lead an arboreal life which arefound allover the world. They have large brain in comparison to other mammals. They show a combination of primitive and specialized characters. They are primarily arboreal and return to land as a secondary condition…

All over the world there are many different animals roaming around in air, land, or water. Every animal has a unique feature, whether its appearance, behaviour, or lifestyle. For example, felines are usually known for their attractive fur, agility, and muscular strength. Although cheetahs aren’t known for what felines are usually known for, they are very special. What comes in mind when asked ‘What felines are the fastest?’ usually the answer is cheetahs. Exceeding many speeds of many animals,…

Biological anthropology is the study of behavioural and biological aspects of humans, primates and the extinct hominid species (Stanford et al, 2013). Anthropological perspectives and approaches may be applied to research comparisons, and obtain in depth information on comparative anatomy, biocultral and evolutionary changes over time. This essay will address these different approaches. Paleoanthropological findings will also be used as evidence to support the theory of microevolution and…

The Ancient Inhabitants of Flores Island The recently discovered Homo floresiensis have been a puzzle for scientists. The skeletons are an odd mix of archaic and more modern traits. The problem of how these diminutive hominins arrived on the island of Flores is still a mystery. The dating shows H. floresiensis arrived over a million years ago by the tools they left behind. The hominins had a minimal cranial capacity, yet they were able to live and prosper until recent times. The Indonesian…

LIfe Of Afia In the wet tropical jungle lived two chimpanzees. Afia was an only chimp, didn't have brothers or sisters to share his life with. Jaja, mother of Aafia was the only one caring for lonely chimp. She made sure everyday she did her best to care for Afia. Father of Afia was taken by local hunters, it's been about two years since he had been gone. This made things extremely difficult for her to raise Afia by herself. As time went by without a father and no brothers and sisters.…

The effect technology may have on future human evolution can be determined via analysis of various developmental and technological factors. Uncovering the possibilities of potential further evolution requires a familiarisation with Darwinian development and the purpose for its occurrence. A reflection of current and past technologies and their subsequent repercussions on society also assist in defining the specific impacts on future humans. In order predict the essence of mankind in coming…

The other day I was talking to a friend of mine Tom about various animals while we were at the zoo. Then we had passed the chimpanzee exhibit and then Tom said a dumb remark stating that chimpanzees are like humans because they walk upright. Which I had responded they may share the ability to walk upright and share a few similarities, however, there are various differences that a human and a chimpanzee have like dietary, habit, and lifestyles. To begin with humans and chimpanzee have a…

Homo ergaster, meaning ‘workman’, lived in eastern and southern Africa around 1.5 million years ago. The ergaster had a good run for about 500,000 years, until vanishing from fossil records 1.3 million years ago. Homo ergaster was discovered in 1949 somewhere in southern Africa by prominent South African hominin paleontologist, John T. Robinson. Researchers have argued back and forth on the the idea that Home ergaster is a valid taxon due to the similarities between ergaster and erectus. Some…

Since finally breaking away from Antarctica and South America approximately 55 million years ago, Australia’s animals have evolved in isolation under the influence of a number of major climatic changes. As a result of this, the Australian continent today contains a diverse and unique collection of fauna vastly different to that found elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, Australia’s unique biodiversity today faces new and potentially devastating threats, a consequence of a number of…

Humans have been searching for the point of difference between ourselves and other animal species for centuries. Most recently, it was suggested that one of the decisive factors was language. Conversely, a study published by Fourth Estate in 1993 entitled The Great Ape Project; Equality Beyond Humanity contained a piece by Dr. Francine Patterson and Wendy Gordon called The Case for the Personhood of Gorillas. This article was based on research gathered when working with a pair of lowland…