BIOL10005 Lecture Notes - Lecture 30: Homo Erectus, Foramen Magnum, Homo Habilis
15 Aug 2018
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Evolutionary relationship of living great apes and humans: * humans sometimes given their own family hominidae. * but differences between chimps and humans in very small. * drosophila melanogaster & d. ananassae (estimated divergence time =12 mya) have the same genus and subgenus. Whereas, pan troglodytes & homo sapiens (estimated divergence =6 mya) share >98% of coding dna, but are in a separate family and genus. How do humans differ from other great apes: locomotion: * human foot becomes less grasping (due to change in lifestyle) big toe straightened. * pelvis shortened, more bowl-like than blade like (helps support base of spine) * femur bends inwards, knee straightened, patella (knee joint) central to joint. * connection with spinal column (foreman magnum) on underside of skull. * less robust upper arms (not on trees anymore so robust arms are not necessary) * upright walking freed hands for other purposes. * humans have greater manual dexterity (skills in performing tasks, especially with hands)
