1. Apes to Man

2. Human Evolution
Human evolution is characterized by several types of changes in phenotype: Note: obviously, these aren't the only phenotypic changes characteristic of the human species, but are more noteworthy in regards to human evolution.

3. Changes in brain size & skull shape
Smaller to larger brain capacity
Spinal insertion moves from rear to base of skull

4. Comparative Brain Sizes

5. Hand Shape Development of more flexible opposable thumb
Allowed advanced tool use

6. Pelvis shape Allowed early hominids to stand & walk upright
Gave advantage of being able to see around them on the savannah

7. Spine Shape
Changed from "C" shape to "S" shape

8. Jaw Size Jaw has reduced in size, reflecting changes in species diet
Size of teeth have generally decreased, especially canines

9. Hominid changes over time

10. Timeline of human ancestry
~ Million Years to (?) - Ramapithecus & Proconsul
Earliest Ape-like ancestor.
Did not walk upright
Similar in size to the chimpanzee, but stockier

11. Genus Australopithecus
~ million years - Genus Australopithecus
Several Species of this genus including
A. afarensis, A.africanus, & A. boeisi
Earliest is Australopithecus afarensis
Very much apelike with an important feature. Was able to walk upright

12. Australopithicenes

13. Australopithicenes

14. Homo Habilis ~ 2 - 1.5 million years - Homo habilis "handy man".
Larger than Australopithecus
Larger brain
Was first to use stone tools.

15. Homo habilis

16. Homo habilis contd.

17. Homo erectus ~ 1.5 Million years - ~ 80,000* years . Homo erectus.
Larger than H. habilis
Larger brain
Smaller face
Was the first to use fire
Allowed man to "break out" of Africa into Europe & Asia

18. Homo erectus

19. Homo neanderthalis
~130, ,000 years. Homo neanderthalis "Neanderthal man"
Probably not a direct ancestor - but another offshoot from H. erectus
Shorter, stockier, stronger than modern man. Adapted to ice age.
Larger brain size than modern man.
Buried dead with flowers - first evidence of religeous/symbolic thinking.

20. H. neanderthalis

21. “Modern” man ~ 100,000 years to present - Homo sapiens (modern man).
Appears to have originated from H. erectus in Africa, then migrated outwards to Europe & Asia.
Replaced existing species H. erectus & H. neanderthalis

22. “Radiation” theory of H. sapien evolution

23. “Parallel” theory of H. sapien evolution

24. Current phylogeny of H. sapiens

25. How to make a human:
Millions of years ago, a majority of northern Africa was rainforest. Ancestors to man Rapapithecus and Proconsul, were full arboreal apes living in these forests.

26. Changes
However, approx. 5 mya the great rift valley formed in east central Africa.

27. Problems….. The effect of this rift was to…
Isolate the ape population from their peers in the west.
The rift also created a “rainshadow desert” to its leeward side.

28. Change of environment.
This change in precipitation changed the landscape of the region from rainforest to savannah. The apes needed to develop a new form of transportation since they could no longer brachiate through the trees. Thus, they evolved the ability to walk upright.