1. Human Evolutionary Development
Eocene Epoch
Oligocene Epoch
Miocene Epoch

2. Geologic Time & Human Evolution

3. The Eocene epoch (55-35 mya)
Eocene warmest epoch of Cenozoic
NW Tenn., trop. rain forest, like Panama
First appearance of many modern orders of mammals
As mentioned, rodents
First bats, whales, modern ungulates and carnivores
Most important for us, the first P.O.M.A.
Primates of Modern Aspect
Two major groups: the adapids and omomyids
Both groups at the most primitive grade of adaptation

4. The Adapids First appear in early Eocene (50-55 mya)
Possibly in Asia in late Eocene
Found in both Europe and N. America
Early forms more numerous in Europe
Three important genera:
Cantius - earliest adapid
Only early Eocene genus from N. Am. & Eur.
Adapis - lemur-sized European form
Named & described by Cuvier (1821)
Notharctus - lemur-sized American form
Very lemur like

5. The Omomyids First appear in early Eocene (50-55 mya)
Found in Europe, N. America and Asia
Early forms more numerous in N. America
Important genera:
Teilhardina - earliest omomyid
From Belgium
Rooneyia - from late Eocene of N. America
they were very Tarsier or galago like

6. Adapids vs. Omomyids

7. The big question: Which group gave rise to the Anthropoids (Human and Great Ape Line)?
Most fossil features point to the adapids
Omomyids are good ancestors for tarsiers

8. The Oligocene epoch (35-25 mya) - the first Anthropoids
The Fayum depression - Egypt, 60 mi. SW of Cairo
Early Oligocene (ca. 33 mya) 2 genera:
Apidium - squirrel-sized arboreal quadruped
Dental formula:
Could be ancestor to both N.W. and O.W.
Aegyptopithecus - most important of Fayum finds
Dental formula:
relatively large brain
Large bodied, ~12 lbs. on average
Substantial canine sexual dimorphism
Heavily-muscled, arboreal quadruped

9. Aegyptopithecus

10. Aegyptopithecus Reconstruction

11. Old and New World Monkeys
Aegyptopithecus is best candidate for ancestral Old World Monkeys
Adaptation: like modern monkeys
What about the New World Monkeys?
Earliest fossil evidence from Bolivian Oligocene
Geologically same time as Fayum, ~33 mya

12. Miocene Primate Evolution
The Miocene epoch (25-5 mya) - "The Golden Age of Apes"
Two major hominoid radiations
The dryopiths - Early to Middle Miocene (25-15 mya)
The ramapiths - Middle to Late Miocene (15-5 mya)

13. The Dryopiths Distribution (geographic and temporal) Important genera
Most forms from E. Africa
Some Mid-Miocene forms from Europe
Important genera
Proconsul - Early Miocene, E. Africa
Dryopithecus - Mid-Miocene, W. Europe
Morphology
Cranial features
Generalized
No major chewing specializations
Post-cranial ("below the head") features
Body size: monkey to _ gorilla-sized
Limb proportions - monkey-like
Fore-limbs not elongate
relatively short fingers & toes

14. Dryopithecus

15. Dryopithecines Reconstruction

16. The Ramapiths Distribution (geographic and temporal) Ancestors?
Most widespread hominoids ever (until us)
Turkey, Hungary, Greece, Pakistan (14-8 mya)
Later in China and mainland SE Asia (~8-0.5 mya)
Ancestors?
Probably a Middle Miocene, E. African form
Kenyapithecus: a good ancestor, ~14 mya
big powerful jaws
thick molar enamel
Most important genus
Sivapithecus (includes Ramapithecus)

17. General Ramapith Morphology
Dentition similar to Dryopiths
One major dental character is thick molar enamel
Cranial features
More ape-like, chewing specializations
Post-cranial features
Not much evidence; seemingly more ape-like
More mobile shoulder joint
Possibly more terrestrial than Dryopiths

18. Specific Sivapithecus Morphology
"What great ape would it resemble?"
Later Asian forms
Cranial features mirror Orangutan
Sloping lower face/jaw
It's best interpreted as ancestor of Pongo (Orangutan)

19. Sivapithecus

20. One other interesting ramapith genus: Gigantopithecus
Found in Pakistan and China
Dates to mya, latest surviving Ramapith
Huge jaws and teeth; only parts found
May have been 6-9 ft. tall, >600 lbs!
What caused its extinction?
Maybe early humans
More mundane: Giant Panda
Same niche, large-bodied bamboo eater
Maybe NOT extinct!
Abominable Snowman & Sasquatch ???

21. Gigantopithecus

22. Last Common Ancestor? Unable to determine exact specimen as yet.
Molecular data suggests split occurred between 6 and 5 million years ago.
Extensive genetic diversity in hominoids during the Miocene.