Important Hominids and the First Hominins
Ardipithecus Ramidus "Ardi"Location: Awash Valley, Ethiopia
Date: 4.4 mya Modern Traits: Evidence for bipedality is clear: pelvis, femur, food; Nonhoning Canines Primitive Traits: Arboreal adapations in hands & feet (grasping toe); small chimp-like brain Fun Fact: Very complete specimens; Potentially the earliest hominin ancestor after split with chimpanzee; has chimpanzee-like features but no evidence for knuckle walking. |
East African Australopithecines
3 mya, Diversification of Hominins
Australopithecines Afarensis "Lucy"Location: Kenya, Tanzania
Date: 3-3.6 mya Modern Traits: Bipedality: human-like flared pelvis, angled femur, patellar lip, in- line big toe, spine. Nonhoning canines. Primitive Traits: Parallel tooth row. Large molars. Small 400 cc brain (but larger than past hominins) Longer arms. Large canines in males Curved digits Suspensory adaptation - shoulder blade Habitat: Open Woodland; Grassland |
Robust Australopithecines
aka "Paranthropus"
Both extinct by 1 mya; tougher plant-based diet
South African Australopithecines
Genus Homo
Homo ErectusLocation: Africa, Europe, Asia (First specimen found in Asia: Java, Indonesia)
Date: 1.8 mya Modern Traits: Larger brain (775 cc+) Bipedal exclusively. No sagittal crest Smaller molars Human-like limb proportions: Long legs, shorter arms. Larger body size/height More tool use. Primitive Traits: Long, Low Skull Brow ridges Fun Fact: First Homo Species to leave Africa. Highly Adaptable. |