November 5, 2012- Oligocene 34-23 myao Cooler and drier than Eocene, but still warmer than todayo *Early anthropoid radiation Rapid evolution of monkeys, apes and humans- Parapithecuso Anthropoidso Oligocene and is ancestor to all anthropoidso Fayum: a region in Africa where the environment and situations were perfect and there has been tremendous fossilization was discoveredo Most closely related to the ancestry of New World monkeys- Aegyptopithecuso Genus has historically been proposed as the ancestor of both old world monkeys and hominoids (apes)o Eyes are forward-facing and relatively small indicating it is probably a diurnal specieso Evidence of sexual dimorphism o Similar limb structure to primates- Saadaniuso Recently proposed as the ancestor of both Old World and hominoids- Platyrrhines in New World about 30 mya, but how?o Continental relationships during late Eoceneo North American migrationo Antarctic migrationo South Atlantic migrationo *Island hoppingo *Rafting: a chunk of continent that detached and float into the water- Early platyrrhines: New World Anthropoidso Homunculuso Middle Miocene descendant of the earliest platyrrhine radiation (many species appearing due to environmental and situational conditions)- Miocene 22-5 myao “Golden age of apes” o All modern families presento Early to middle (25-15 mya) Much warmer than oligoceneo Middle to late (15-5 myao Contents much like today- Early Miocene: primates mostly in Africao 16 mya, Africa docks Eurasia: Afro-Arabian-Eurasian land bridgeo More early apes than early monkeys- Middle to late Miocene: in Europe, Asia and Africao Late in Miocene the tropical habitat shrinkso More late monkeys than late apes (extinction of many apes)- Comparison of bilophodont molarso Look at the biting surface of the molars. Look at the high parts called the cusps and the nooks and crannieso Bilophodont: 4 cusps arranged in a parallel fashion  Circopithocenes o Y5 molars: 5 cusps arranged in a “Y” outline Hominoids - Old world monkeyso Victoriapithecus, the first Old World monkey- African forms: primitive hominoido Proconsul africanuso Kenyao Early Miocene – about 20 myao “Dental apes” – have the Y5 molars, but the front teeth are still like monkeyso Monkey-like postcrania, apelike teeth Y5- Late Miocene: Asian formso Sivapithecus Facially like orangutans Ancestor of Gigantopithecus o Lufengpithecus – late Miocene November 12, 2012Chapter 10/11: Hominin Origins in Africa- Look at table of why hominins became bipedal (“factors, speculated influence & comments”)- Water hypothesis and bipedalism:o Chimps today, if they have to cross a pool of water that’s above the waste, they don’t swim, they walk through the pool bipedaly with their hands in the air- Bipedalism and gluteuso Gluteus propels your legs forwardo Hamstrings are typically long extending to the lower lego Foramen magnum for bipedal is typically inferior, or directly on the bottom of the skullo Bipeds have an “S” curve to their spineo Humans have a wide pelvic bone (good for birthing large babies)o Feet?: enlarged big toe brought in line with the other toes; distinctive longitudinal arch helps absorb shock and adds propulsive spring- Early homininso Pre-autralopiths 6-4.4 myao Austraplopiths 4.2 – 1.2 myao Early homo 2-1.4 myaNovember 14, 2012Don’t need to know the name of the particular site each specimen was found, but do need to know the general region, like north/south Africa. Be able to recognize the name and know it’s time and what’s important about it- Pre-australopiths from Africao Pre-australopiths 7-4.4 myao Sahelanthropus 7-6 mya, Chado Orrorin 6 mya, Kenyao Ardipithecus 5.8-4.4 mya, Ethiopiao Miocene hominins- Pre-australopiths 6+ - 4.4 myao Sahelanthropus chadensiso The earliest specimen in the “family tree.” Many are skeptical whether this specimen was bipedal, therefore, it is not for sure if it is ancestral to us.- Orrorino 6 myao East Africa, specifically Central Kenya: tropical forested areao Dental remains and complete lower limbo Bipedal locomotion o Mostly teeth and post-cranial remains o Definitely a hominin; accepted as the earliest firmly established hominin- Ardipithecus (cover of book) 4.4-5.8 myao Very large assemblage from banks of awash river o 6,000 fossils; one nearly complete hominin skeletono Hominin and animals – in limestone matrixo Diffucluty in running but considerable grasping Selection would have been favoring those qualities for arboreal livingo About 4’ tall, 110 poundso Opposable toeo Bipedal pelvis “arboreal biped” o Teeth: thin enamel (white part on teeth) on molars, no large canines Thin enamel indicates softer-food dietso Overall size consistent with australoso Likely lived in a heavily forested environment- Australopiths 4.2-1.2 myao Two related genera, Australopithecus and Paranthropuso Bipedalo Relatively small brains compared to Homoo Large teeth, especially back, with thick to very thick enamel on molars- Australopiths – A means Australopithecus and P means Paranthropuso A. Anamensiso A. Afarensis Lucy – will probably be on exam Ancestor to Aethiopicus The largest well-studied collection of early hominins.o P. Robustus, P. boisei Went extinct because they couldn’t adapt to environmento P. Aethiopicus More massive face; big facial muscles and giant mandible indicating diet Sagittal crest Ancestor to Robusto A. Africanus South Africao A. Sediba  South AfricaNovember 19, 2012- Area in E. Africa called Olduvai Gorge is where the Lucy excavation took placeo Layers in rocks reflect pre-historic volcanic eruptions, layering this area with volcanic ash.These volcanic layers are known as tuffs.  This gives us very accurate chronological capabilities o Been an area of excavation since the 1930s. Mary and ___ Leeky are known for the mostwell-known specimens - Artifacts: material clues that include objects or materials made or modified for use by homininso Organic materials decompose, hence the earliest artifacts are of stone or, occasionally, bone, dating to ca. 2.6 mya (not everything is preserved) We don’t know a lot about what the australopiths used as tools. We know more about the use of stone tools in the homoso Stone tool (Lithic) technology When struck properly, stone fractures in a controlled way to produce sharp edges- Flake: the smaller piece broken