ANTH 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Fluorine, Steven Mithen, Acheulean
Document Summary
Classify to know what we"re talking about and to show evolutionary relationships. Subspecies are added afterwards (varecia variegata rubra) Higher taxonomic levels have both latinised and anglicised forms. Taxonomic level identified by ending of the word (plural/singular) Similar traits can arise from common ancestry (homology) or similar adaptations of very different species (homoplasy) To avoid confusion, modern taxonomists developed an alternative method called cladistics (based on homology alone): Starts with traits shared by all, then distinguishes groups based on derived features shared by smaller group. Group of organisms that shares derived features forms clade or category. Monkeys compared to prosimians - different bone structure, monkeys are developed to be more social (shared with modern humans), claws vs nails, prosimians have mobile ears. Old world monkeys (old world monkeys vs other monkeys) First recognized and defined by buffon (1767) Appear suddenly in fossil record in south america (40-42 mya)