THE ORDER OF PRIMATES

The forest as the human birthplace

Primate evolution and taxonomy

The impact of the forest on human evolution

Eyes that look forward: stereoscopic vision

From mammalian paws to hands and feet

From large litters to fewer offspring.

Closer mother / child bond – greater maternal care

Increase in vocalization

Restructuring of the brain

Africa as the human birthplace

Monkeys are found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas

Apes evolved in Africa and Asia, but not in the Americas. Africa: Chimpanzees, Gorillas Asia: Gibbon, Orangutan

Hominids evolved only in Africa.

Gibbon

Orangutan

Gorilla

A look at our closest relatives: chimpanzees

Geographical distribution of chimps

Increase in mother – child bond

Chimpanzee social bonds

Chimpanzee tool use

Summary

The forest prepared the basic physical and behavioral platform from which humans were to emerge.

Primate evolution occurred in forests around the tropical world.

The cutting edge of human evolution occurred in Africa.

The closest biological and behavioral relatives of humans are the chimpanzees.