24. p. 557Primate Evolution and the Emergence of Humans
- F. Harvey Pough, F. Harvey PoughProfessor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology
- William E. Bemis, William E. BemisProfessor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Curator of Ichthyology, Cornell University
- Betty McguireBetty McguireSenior Lecturer, Cornell University
- , and Christine M. JanisChristine M. JanisProfessor Emerita of Biology, Brown University, USA, Honorary Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
Abstract
This chapter discusses the relationship between primate evolution and the emergence of humans. Molecular techniques show that chimpanzees and bonobos are the closest extant relatives to humans. Humans and their fossil relatives belong to a tribe within Hominidae called Hominini. In comparison to other hominids, humans exhibit three major derived characteristics which are bipedality, a greatly enlarged brain, and the ability for speech and language. The chapter then details the effects of Homo sapiens, the only surviving hominin species, on other vertebrates and the course of life on Earth. It acknowledges humans as superpredators that kill large animals that otherwise have no natural predators as adults.
