Spencer Witter Anth 330 Extra Credit Essay

Distinguishing Hominins/Hominids from Great Apes

Hominins/hominids have very similar physical traits to modern humans that distinguish them from the great apes. The most important characteristic that hominins and hominids from between 1 and 3.5 mya have that separate them from great apes is being upright bipeds. Another important physical trait is dentition. Cranial capacity however cannot be used, like it was for humans, because early hominins and hominids have small cranial capacities that fall in the range of great apes. There were many physiological differences between hominins and hominids and great apes due to their differences in locomotion. One that is commonly examined on fossils as proof of bipedal locomotion is the position on the skull of the foramen magnum. Even the oldest hominin discovered, Sahelanthropus tchadensis dated to be ~7 mya, has a vertically positioned foramen magnum (Brauner, 11/5/10). Australopithecus africanus dated 2.5-2.0 mya also has a vertical foramen magnum and was a well-adapted biped (Rowley, Skull Wars, 1995). Great apes have foramen magnums that point out at an angle showing that they do no stand upright (Barry, p 212). Another consequence of bipedal locomotion is the shape of the spine and the pelvis. Both Homo halibus dated >1 mya and Homo ergaster dated 1.8 mya have completely modern human post cranial skeletons, so their spines have a vertical S shape and their pelvises are bowl shaped (Brauner, 10/25/10). Because these two species have a modern human post cranial skeleton they also have legs and feet that differ from great apes. Their legs are longer, have fully extendable knees, are close together to shift the center of support directly under the body, and the big toe is forwards as opposed to being opposable (Barry, p210). Great apes have an angled J shape spine, cylindrical pelvises, shorter legs, and opposable big toes (Barry, p.210). Australopithecus afarensis dated 3.8 mya has a modern human foot print based on the foot prints found at Laetoli showing that their feet dont have an opposable big toe like great apes (Brauner, 11/5/10). The dentition of hominins and hominids are different than the dentition of the great apes. The most noticeable difference is the size of the canine teeth. Apes tend to have larger canines that prevent them from moving their jaw from side to side. Homo halibus and Homo ergaster have small canines (Brauner, 11/17/10). Another difference in dentition that Homo halibus and Homo ergaster have that are different from great apes is that they have parabolic palates. The great ape palates have parallel molars and premolars. The last and more subtle difference between hominins and hominid and great apes is the cranial development. Early Homo genus including halibus, ergaster, and erectus that range in age from 1.4-2.4 mya all show increased cranial capacity from older hominins. One individual Homo erecuts exhibited a cranial capacity of 1067 cm3 (Barry, p 241), larger than the range of gorillas the great apes with the largest cranial capacity (Barry, p 225). Erectus also has a differently shaped cranium. Its nuchal torus is projected at the rear of the skull, it has a thick cranial bone, and a little development of a forehead (Barry, p 239). Bipedal locomotion was chosen as the most important physical trait that distinguishes hominins and hominids from apes because it is according to Understanding Humans by Barry Lewis, et. al. and because it provides for most of the physical advantages humans have like efficient locomotion, body cooling, freeing of the hand to use tools, and others (Barry, p. 209). Differences in cranial development and dentition also differentiate hominins and hominids from great apes. Brauner. Class Lecture. Evolution of People, Technology, and Society. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 2010. Lewis, Barry et. al. Understanding Humans. Belmont CA. Skull Wars: The Missing Link. Dir. Christopher Rowley. Discovery Channel, 1995. DVD.