ANT 2000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Common Descent, Ape, Distant Relatives
Document Summary
Many similarities between organisms reflect their common phylogeny-their genetic relatedness based on common ancestry. Humans and apes belong to the same taxonomic superfamily hominoidea (hominoids) At the lowest level of taxonomy, a species may have subspecies. Common ancestry isn"t the only reason for similarities between species. Analogies: adaptive traits due to convergent evolution. Convergent evolution: similar selective forces produce similar adaptive traits. Fish and porpoises share many analogies resulting from convergent evolution to life in the water. ) Many trends in primate evolution are best exemplified by the antropoinds: monkeys, apes, and humans. The other primate suborder includes lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers. These prosimians are more distant relatives of humans than are monkeys and apes. Together they constitute an anthropoid heritage that humans share with monkeys and apes. Grasping-five-digited feet and hands that are suited for grasping. Smell to sight-shift from smell to sight as the primate"s most important means of obtaining information.
