Discussion Board Hominins in the news

One of the main characteristics that defines the hominin tribe are their bipedal tendencies. However, as you have noted in the readingd for this week’s assignment, not all hominins had the same bipedal capabilities. Early hominins can be defined as being at various stages of transitioning into bipedalism while much later forms are effective bipedal runners.

As new information is discovered our understanding of hominin evolution changes. For this discussion board you will have to look for new hominin related discoveries that have made the news.

I would like you to look for a news story about hominins. Make sure that the news story on hominins covers the following time frame 6 million to 1 million.

1. Give a brief summary of what you read. In one short paragraph tell the class what the news was about. Include the following points.
   1. Name the species in question.
   2. Where was found.
   3. Tell me why it made the news.
2. Make sure you cite your information.
3. Respond to at least one other student posts.
   1. In your posts briefly explain to the other student why that post is important to the understanding of human evolution.

https://wwnorton.com/common/mplay/6.11/?p=/college…

https://wwnorton.com/common/mplay/6.11/?p=/college…

https://pressbooks-dev.oer.hawaii.edu/explorations…

https://pressbooks-dev.oer.hawaii.edu/explorations…

Hominin Tribe

The fossil and genetic record suggests that the hominoidea superfamily arose during the Miocene. As the Miocene transitioned into the Pliocene the environment that favored Miocene hominoidea disappeared in the Northern hemisphere but persisted in the tropical regions of Africa and Eurasia. As the Miocene ended and transitioned into the Pliocene, the global temperature continued to drop. During the Pliocene, tectonic movements changed ocean and wind currents that influenced a worldwide cooling effect. Within the context of Africa, hominoidea living outside of modern tropical ranges faced an environment that gradually increased in aridity which created the adaptive conditions for the hominin tribe.

The major anatomical changes seen in the fossil record occurring between African hominoidea in areas experiencing ecological change is the appearance of skeletal features that allow for more efficient upright mobility. The appearance of these new features suggested that walking upright had an advantage among some hominoidea. Indeed, bipedal anatomical features increase in number and improve in efficiency over the course of the Pliocene.

The first lecture outlines the features that are unique to the hominin tribe.

The second lecture looks at early hominins. As you view this lecture take special note of how each of the hominin species differ from each and how later hominins are more efficient bipedas than early hominins.

The Homo genus

As we explore the human genus (Homo) think about the unique adaptations that differentiate Homo from other hominins. Homo are the first hominins to show an exponential increase in brain size which is associated the creation of stone tools and the acquisition of meat. In addition, to make stone tools didn’t just require greater intelligence but also a more dexterous hand with greater ability to withstand physical pressures associated with making stone tools. Lastly, bipedal running adaptations this lecture will also explore running adaptations that evolves within the last 2 million years ago.

Overview

During the Miocene, hominoidea experienced a high degree of success that is attested by the number of genera and associated species found in the fossil record. The number of hominoidea species dropped drastically during the Pliocene. Those living in the tropics of Africa experienced little in terms of extinction events since their environments didn’t really change. Those living in parts of Africa that experienced environmental change were faced with new evolutionary pressures. Many hominoidea would have gone extinct in areas that experienced the greatest amount of climatic transformation while others simply adapted to the environment. Those that had the greatest fitness perpetuated their favorable adaptations to later generations.

The major anatomical changes seen in the fossil record occurring between African hominoidea in areas experiencing ecological change is the appearance of skeletal features that allow for more efficient upright mobility. The appearance of these new features suggested that walking upright had an advantage among some hominoidea. Indeed, bipedal anatomical features increase in number and improve in efficiency over the course of the Pliocene.

Into the Pliestocene, many of the hominin species go extinct and the new genus of Homo is the only hominin to survive.

Homo like all other hominins is a habitual biped but unlike all other hominins it’s the first to display anatomical features that would have allowed for efficient bipedal running.

By far, the most obvious anatomical innovation that takes place among the humans encompasses a measurable exponential brain increase. Connected to this increase in cranial capacity is the appearance of the cultural adaptations such as stone tools.

Our task this week will be to explore the hominins and the anatomical changes that occur over from the late Miocene to the early part of the Pleistocene.

Learning Objectives

• Compare and contrast the particular characteristics of early hominins that differentiate them from apes.
• Explain the anatomical characteristics of hominins that reflect bipedalism.
• Identify the ways in which the preaustralopithecines were transitional between apes and later hominins.
• Explain how H. habilis differs from the australopithecines.
• Explain the relationship between tool use and increased intelligence in both habilis and H. erectus.
• Discuss how tool use and the ability to control fire contributed to the evolution of erectus.

To Do List

To demonstrate your learning, you will complete the following activities:

Readings:

1. View: Unit 3 Lectures (View)
2. Read: Chapter 9 and 10
3. View: Video – ApeMan Pelvis Differences.
4. View: Animation – Hominin Phylogenies