2. Hominins

Congenus - in the same genus

Hominoidea (superfamily) - includes all living and extinct human and ape species

hominidae (family) - all modern and extinct great apes

homininae (sub-family) - modern & extinct humans and their ancestors

comparative anatomy - making inferences on extinct species based on the anatomy, movement, etc. of living species.

pre 6 million years ago

• tree dwelling

• long arms

• short legs

• feet similar to hands

around 18 Ma African hominids migrated to Asia

10 Ma one of these species migrated back to Africa and was ancestral to all hominoids

Evolution of bipedalism

• has advantages in child care

• height advantage

• frees up hands for tool use

• lengthened strides so more energy efficient

traits for bipedalism

• s shaped spine for efficient weight transfer

• short, curved and wide iliac blades for support of upright trunk

• wide sacrum reflects increased loading on pelvis

modern human

• less robust skeleton

• round, high cranium