Ardipithecus ramidus 4.4 mya (Another branch or root of all hominoids)
New Genus = New Species
Ardi
Ardipithecus
1. Well adapted bi-ped
Ardipithecus
1. Well adapted bi-ped
2. Foramen magnum positioned further centered
Ardipithecus
1. Well adapted bi-ped
2. Foramen magnum positioned further centered
3. Thin enamel Caps on molars in contrast to earlier hominids
Ardipithecus
1. Well adapted bi-pedal
2. Foramen magnum positioned further centered
3. Thin enamel Caps on molars in contrast to earlier hominids
4. More heavily Forested area as opposed to grasslands savanna
Ardipithecus
1. Well adapted bi-pedal
2. Foramen magnum positioned further centered
3. Thin enamel Caps on molars in contrast to earlier hominids
4. More heavily Forested area as opposed to grasslands savanna
Australopiths (4.2–1.2 mya)• The best-known, most widely distributed, and most
diverse of the early African hominins are colloquially called australopiths.
• This group of hominins is made up of two closely related genera: Australopithecus and Paranthropus.
• These hominins have an established time range of over 3 million years, stretching back as early as 4.2 mya and not becoming extinct until apparently close to 1 mya.
Australopiths (4.2–1.2 mya)• Major features
1.They are all bipedal (although not necessarily identical to Homo in this regard).
2.They all have relatively small brains (i.e., at least compared to Homo).
3.They all have large teeth, particularly the back teeth, with thick to very thick enamel on the molars.
Australopithecus 4.2-1 million
Longest enduring hominoid
Australopithecus 4.2-1 million
Longest enduring hominoidFound in all major geographical regions of Africa,
Australopithecus 4.2-1 million
Longest enduring hominoidFound in all major geographical regions of Africa,
Possibly 8 speciesOR2 genera Paranthropus and Australopithecus
Australopithecus 4.2-1 million
Longest enduring hominoidFound in all major geographical regions of Africa,
Possibly 8 speciesOR2 genera Paranthropus and Australopithecus
•All clearly Bipedal•All have relatively small brains•All have large teeth, w/thick enamel
Lucy 3.7 –3.5 mya
Don Johanson Dicovered in Hadar in 1974
Lucy in combination w/ Leakey footprints tell us about locomotion and stature
Lucy 40% of skeleton, one of three most complete, Pre-100,000
Accurate Dates due to Volcanic Ash layers
Laetoli (Ash Footprints)
Discovered in 1978
1. Convergent Big Toe
2. Clearly Bipedal
3. Arch
4. Slow Moving “Strol”
5. Short Stride
Laetoli (Ash Footprints)
Later More Derived Australopiths (2.5–1.2 mya)
• As they adapted to niches, australopiths became more derived and showed physical changes making them distinct from their immediate ancestors.
• There were at least three separate lineages of hominins living between 2.5 and 1 mya. – Australopithecus– Paranthropus– Homo• Habilis• Erectus• Floriensis (The hobbitt)?