Early Hominins (BioAnthro 3)

Earliest known hominins

Sahelanthropus tchadensis, orrorin tugensis, ardipithecus kadabba / ramidus

Early Gracile Austra characteristics

Ape like, more robusticity, bipedal, arboreal traits, human-like

Pre-Austra characteristics

Mix of human and arboreal adaptations (ape like)

Early Gracile Austra Species’

Austra anamensis, austra afarensis, austra platyops

Later Gracile Austra geographic range

East Africa and South Africa

Later Gracile Austra Species’

Austra Garhi, Austra Africanus, Austra Sediba

Later Gracile Austra culture

Oldowan tool use

Robust Austra characteristics

Overall larger, ~410-530 cc, chewing tough plants adaptations

Robust Austra species’

Austra aethiopicus, austra robustus, austra boisei

Robust Austra geo range

East Africa, South Africa

Savanna-based bipedalism hypothesis

Bipedalism evolved for hunting and to prevent heat stroke

(Bipedalism) Patchy Forest Hypothesis

More efficient travel, freed hands to carry food

Provisioning hypothesis

Lovejoy. Females picked males who could carry the most food

Bipedalism evolutionary tradeoffs

Bad backs, exposure, hard on circulatory system

Sahelanthropus tchadensis characteristics

Mix of human and arboreal adaptations. 350 cc

Orrorin tugensis characteristics

Bipedal, arboreal adaptations