HUMAN EVOLUTIONCourtesy http://www.lab-initio.com/

Survey – Beliefs in Human Evolution

Skeletal Comparisons

Posture

Pongid HominidBent over or quadrapedal; Knuckle-walking common

Upright or bipedal

Leg and Arm

Pongid HominidArms longer than legs, adapted for swinging by arm - usually among trees

Legs usually longer than arms; adapted for striding

Feet

Pongid HominidLow arches; opposable big toes - capable of grasping

High arches; big toes in line with others; adapted for walking

Teeth

Pongid HominidProminent; large gaps between canines and nearby teeth

Reduced; reduced or absent gaps

Skull

Pongid HominidBent forward from spinal column; very rugged; prominent brow ridges

Upright on spinal column; smooth brow ridges

Face

Pongid HominidJaws jut out; very heavy; very wide nasal opening; sloping

Vertical profile; More distinct chin; Prominent nasal spine

Brain Size

Pongid Hominid280-705 cm3 (current) 400-2000 cm3

(fossil to present)

Proposed Hominid Evolution

Comparison of Hominid Brain Size

This genetic distance map made in 2002 is an estimate of 18 world human groups by a neighbor-joining method based on 23 kinds of genetic information.

Out of Africa

Out of Africa