Human Evolutionary Human Evolutionary DevelopmentDevelopment

Eocene EpochEocene Epoch

Oligocene EpochOligocene Epoch

Miocene EpochMiocene Epoch

Geologic Time & Human EvolutionGeologic Time & Human Evolution

The Eocene epoch (55-35 mya)The Eocene epoch (55-35 mya)

Eocene warmest epoch of CenozoicEocene warmest epoch of Cenozoic NW Tenn., trop. rain forest, like PanamaNW Tenn., trop. rain forest, like Panama First appearance of many modern orders of First appearance of many modern orders of

mammalsmammals As mentioned, rodentsAs mentioned, rodents First bats, whales, modern ungulates and First bats, whales, modern ungulates and

carnivorescarnivores Most important for us, the first P.O.M.A.Most important for us, the first P.O.M.A.

Primates of Modern AspectPrimates of Modern Aspect Two major groups: the adapids and omomyidsTwo major groups: the adapids and omomyids Both groups at the most primitive grade of Both groups at the most primitive grade of

adaptationadaptation

The AdapidsThe Adapids

First appear in early Eocene (50-55 mya)First appear in early Eocene (50-55 mya) Possibly in Asia in late EocenePossibly in Asia in late Eocene Found in both Europe and N. AmericaFound in both Europe and N. America

Early forms more numerous in EuropeEarly forms more numerous in Europe Three important genera:Three important genera:

CantiusCantius - earliest adapid - earliest adapid Only early Eocene genus from N. Am. & Eur.Only early Eocene genus from N. Am. & Eur.

AdapisAdapis - lemur-sized European form - lemur-sized European form Named & described by Cuvier (1821)Named & described by Cuvier (1821)

NotharctusNotharctus - lemur-sized American form - lemur-sized American form Very lemur likeVery lemur like

The OmomyidsThe Omomyids

First appear in early Eocene (50-55 mya)First appear in early Eocene (50-55 mya) Found in Europe, N. America and AsiaFound in Europe, N. America and Asia

Early forms more numerous in N. Early forms more numerous in N. AmericaAmerica

Important genera:Important genera: TeilhardinaTeilhardina - earliest omomyid - earliest omomyid

From BelgiumFrom Belgium RooneyiaRooneyia - from late Eocene of N. America - from late Eocene of N. America

they were very Tarsier or galago likethey were very Tarsier or galago like

Adapids vs. OmomyidsAdapids vs. Omomyids

The big question: Which The big question: Which group gave rise to the group gave rise to the

Anthropoids (Human and Anthropoids (Human and Great Ape Line)? Great Ape Line)? Most fossil features point to the adapidsMost fossil features point to the adapids

Omomyids are good ancestors for tarsiersOmomyids are good ancestors for tarsiers

The Oligocene epoch (35-25 mya) - The Oligocene epoch (35-25 mya) - the first Anthropoidsthe first Anthropoids

The Fayum depression - Egypt, 60 mi. SW of CairoThe Fayum depression - Egypt, 60 mi. SW of Cairo Early Oligocene (ca. 33 mya) 2 genera:Early Oligocene (ca. 33 mya) 2 genera:

ApidiumApidium - squirrel-sized arboreal quadruped - squirrel-sized arboreal quadruped Dental formula: 2-1-3-3Dental formula: 2-1-3-3 Could be ancestor to both N.W. and O.W. Could be ancestor to both N.W. and O.W.

AegyptopithecusAegyptopithecus - most important of Fayum finds - most important of Fayum finds Dental formula: 2-1-2-3Dental formula: 2-1-2-3 relatively large brainrelatively large brain Large bodied, ~12 lbs. on averageLarge bodied, ~12 lbs. on average Substantial canine sexual dimorphismSubstantial canine sexual dimorphism Heavily-muscled, arboreal quadrupedHeavily-muscled, arboreal quadruped

AegyptopithecusAegyptopithecus

AegyptopithecusAegyptopithecus Reconstruction Reconstruction

Old and New World MonkeysOld and New World Monkeys

AegyptopithecusAegyptopithecus is best candidate for is best candidate for ancestral Old World Monkeysancestral Old World Monkeys

Adaptation: like modern monkeysAdaptation: like modern monkeys

What about the New World Monkeys?What about the New World Monkeys? Earliest fossil evidence from Bolivian Earliest fossil evidence from Bolivian

OligoceneOligocene Geologically same time as Fayum, ~33 myaGeologically same time as Fayum, ~33 mya

Miocene Primate Evolution Miocene Primate Evolution

The Miocene epoch (25-5 mya) - "The The Miocene epoch (25-5 mya) - "The Golden Age of Apes"Golden Age of Apes"

Two major hominoid radiationsTwo major hominoid radiations The dryopiths - Early to Middle Miocene (25-15 mya)The dryopiths - Early to Middle Miocene (25-15 mya) The ramapiths - Middle to Late Miocene (15-5 mya)The ramapiths - Middle to Late Miocene (15-5 mya)

The DryopithsThe Dryopiths

Distribution (geographic and temporal)Distribution (geographic and temporal) Most forms from E. AfricaMost forms from E. Africa Some Mid-Miocene forms from EuropeSome Mid-Miocene forms from Europe

Important generaImportant genera ProconsulProconsul - Early Miocene, E. Africa - Early Miocene, E. Africa DryopithecusDryopithecus - Mid-Miocene, W. Europe - Mid-Miocene, W. Europe

MorphologyMorphology Cranial featuresCranial features

GeneralizedGeneralized No major chewing specializationsNo major chewing specializations

Post-cranial ("below the head") featuresPost-cranial ("below the head") features Body size: monkey to _ gorilla-sizedBody size: monkey to _ gorilla-sized Limb proportions - monkey-likeLimb proportions - monkey-like Fore-limbs not elongateFore-limbs not elongate relatively short fingers & toesrelatively short fingers & toes

DryopithecusDryopithecus

Dryopithecines ReconstructionDryopithecines Reconstruction

The RamapithsThe Ramapiths

Distribution (geographic and temporal)Distribution (geographic and temporal) Most widespread hominoids ever (until us)Most widespread hominoids ever (until us) Turkey, Hungary, Greece, Pakistan (14-8 mya)Turkey, Hungary, Greece, Pakistan (14-8 mya) Later in China and mainland SE Asia (~8-0.5 mya)Later in China and mainland SE Asia (~8-0.5 mya)

Ancestors?Ancestors? Probably a Middle Miocene, E. African formProbably a Middle Miocene, E. African form KenyapithecusKenyapithecus: a good ancestor, ~14 mya: a good ancestor, ~14 mya

big powerful jawsbig powerful jaws thick molar enamelthick molar enamel

Most important genusMost important genus SivapithecusSivapithecus (includes (includes Ramapithecus Ramapithecus))

General Ramapith MorphologyGeneral Ramapith Morphology

Dentition similar to DryopithsDentition similar to Dryopiths One major dental character is thick molar enamelOne major dental character is thick molar enamel

Cranial featuresCranial features More ape-like, chewing specializationsMore ape-like, chewing specializations

Post-cranial featuresPost-cranial features Not much evidence; seemingly more ape-likeNot much evidence; seemingly more ape-like More mobile shoulder jointMore mobile shoulder joint Possibly more terrestrial than DryopithsPossibly more terrestrial than Dryopiths

Specific Specific SivapithecusSivapithecus Morphology Morphology

"What great ape would it resemble?""What great ape would it resemble?" Later Asian formsLater Asian forms

Cranial features mirror OrangutanCranial features mirror Orangutan Sloping lower face/jawSloping lower face/jaw

It's best interpreted as ancestor of It's best interpreted as ancestor of Pongo Pongo (Orangutan)(Orangutan)

SivapithecusSivapithecus

One other interesting ramapith One other interesting ramapith genus: genus: GigantopithecusGigantopithecus

Found in Pakistan and China Found in Pakistan and China Dates to 9-0.5 mya, latest surviving RamapithDates to 9-0.5 mya, latest surviving Ramapith Huge jaws and teeth; only parts foundHuge jaws and teeth; only parts found

May have been 6-9 ft. tall, >600 lbs!May have been 6-9 ft. tall, >600 lbs! What caused its extinction?What caused its extinction?

Maybe early humansMaybe early humans More mundane: Giant PandaMore mundane: Giant Panda Same niche, large-bodied bamboo eaterSame niche, large-bodied bamboo eater Maybe Maybe NOTNOT extinct! extinct!

Abominable Snowman & Sasquatch ???Abominable Snowman & Sasquatch ???

GigantopithecusGigantopithecus

Last Common Ancestor?Last Common Ancestor?

Unable to determine exact specimen as Unable to determine exact specimen as yet.yet.

Molecular data suggests split occurred Molecular data suggests split occurred between 6 and 5 million years ago.between 6 and 5 million years ago.

Extensive genetic diversity in hominoids Extensive genetic diversity in hominoids during the Miocene.during the Miocene.