ANT100Y1 Lecture : Biology-Lecture 4 Chapter 8-Early Hominins Oct 3 2008
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O australopithecus: genus of pliocene and pleistocene hominins. O homo: genus to which modern human beings and their ancestors belong. O development of bipedal locomotion (walking on 2 legs) O expansion of brain, modification of the female pelvis (allow bigger brained babies to be born), reduction of face, teeth, jaw. O extended period of infant/child dependency, increased reliance on meat. O miocene anthropoids- capable of assuming upright position. O bipedal- africa (16 -11 mya)- changing environment: tropical forests-> open country. O bipedalism: adaptive response to life amid the tall grasses of savannahs (spot predators) O allowing hands to be free while legs moving (carrying food etc) O efficiently harvest small seeds and nuts because both hands could be used to pick up food and move it directly to the mouth. O use and make tools/weapons that they could carry with them as they moved about (hunting-
