Hominidae

Morphology is the study of the structure and form of organisms. Six skulls were looked at to be determined identified using morphological characteristics. This can determine the genus and species and time the hominid was likely alive. It can also help anthropologists know more about what the living conditions were like in the time that that species was alive. Traits like a sagittal keel or large molars can show that the food that that species consumed was likely tough and required a lot of…

A major hallmark in the evolution of the hominid species is the modification in the size of the brain. The available fossil record is however incomplete and interpretation is often difficult. The supposed dominance of homo erectus species of hominids is generally credited to the proportions of their brain, that has evolved over the course of their evolutionary history. Direct evidence supporting the changes in the brain can only be obtained from the hominid fossil record, and by studying the…

Chapter 7: Old World Monkeys: The Leaf Eating Colobines Primate evolution of old world monkeys was carried out through adaptive replacement of successful species according to the fossil record. The old world monkeys are located in some parts of Africa and Asia, however their ancestors once inhabited Europe and Africa. Their distinguishable features from new world monkeys are their “downward-turned noses, flattened nails rather than claw-like, flexible thumbs, and a variety of bodily decorations…

All mammals are descended from a common ancestor and, consequently, their bones share similar morphological features. The same bones are present, but will differ in appearance depending on what functions they carry out. The primary difference in these bones is size. Approximately 30% of forensic investigations involve non-human bones which have been mistakenly identified as human remains, so it is important for a Forensic Anthropologist to be able to recognise these differences and use this…

Primates and domestic animals can communicate with humans. It sounds unreal, right? Well, think again… Domestic animals and primates communicate just like humans! Studies have shown and proven that both, primates and canines are able to communicate with humans and other animals. In the article “Going Ape Over Language” written by Natalie Rosinsky, Washoe, Kanzi, and other primates have accomplished learning how to communicate using American Sign Language and Yerkish with humans. Chal, a canine,…

A Bonobo, a bonobo is a monkey, similar to a chimp. They live as a group, a big family, they're never alone. They are peaceful and have lots of kids. They are caring and funny. Also I was called a monkey when I was little so I embraced that shit because monkeys are cool as hell. Life is like a race. Not all races are fair. Not all races are open to all. And some races will be rigged. The one who keeps running wins the race. The one who catches a breath loses the race. But not all winners of the…

Humans and apes have both evolved from a common ancestor. They both lived on the continent of Africa. As they each evolved further apart, humans began to evolve certain traits that made them more evolved than apes. Humans first evolved bipedalism, then they began can to make tools, and finally their brains evolved to become larger and more complex. These traits helped humans evolve and survive in their climates. Even then, certain species of humans died off because their traits did not best suit…

1 Describe how the authors use previous research to explain the importance of their study. Close relatives should gain inclusive fitness benefits according to kin selection theory. Nevertheless, the relationship between kin and non-kin, dominant and subdominant of wild fish such as Atlantic salmon is unclear. Recent research stated that related individuals show close relationship with another. And other study showed that related fish is not likely to be related (Griffiths and Armstrong 2002).…

This article discusses the second instance of observed meat eating by a Bornean orangutan in the wild. The first instance of meat eating in Bornean orangutans was in Gunung Palung National Park, where a young female was observed hunting and consuming a rat. In this instance a flanged male orangutan found in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia was observed eating an adult horse-tailed squirrel. The observers concluded that since there was no evidence of a chase or sounds of distress the orangutan most…

There is one animal in the primate family that has several distinct characteristics unique to that species. This is known as the Gibbon Ape. Gibbons are “endangered, small apes, that are known as the world’s greatest acrobats” (Gibbon Center, 2012). According to Enchanted Learning (1999), “gibbons’ lightweight appearance consists of a small, round head, very long arms, and a short, slender body’’ (Enchanted Learning, 1999). Although they do not look like humans, gibbons have senses very similar…