Ardipithecus ramidus 4.4 mya

1. Ardipithecusramidus 4.4 mya (Another branch or root of all hominoids) New Genus = New Species Ardi

2. Ardipithecus • Well adapted bi-ped

3. Ardipithecus • Well adapted bi-ped • Foramen magnum positioned further centered

4. Ardipithecus • Well adapted bi-ped • Foramen magnum positioned further centered • Thin enamel Caps on molars in contrast to earlier hominids

5. Ardipithecus • Well adapted bi-pedal • Foramen magnum positioned further centered • Thin enamel Caps on molars in contrast to earlier hominids • More heavily Forested area as opposed to grasslands savanna

6. Ardipithecus • Well adapted bi-pedal • Foramen magnum positioned further centered • Thin enamel Caps on molars in contrast to earlier hominids • More heavily Forested area as opposed to grasslands savanna

7. Australopiths (4.2–1.2 mya) The best-known, most widely distributed, and most diverse of the early African hominins are colloquially called australopiths. This group of hominins is made up of two closely related genera: Australopithecus and Paranthropus. These hominins have an established time range of over 3 million years, stretching back as early as 4.2 mya and not becoming extinct until apparently close to 1 mya.

8. Australopiths (4.2–1.2 mya) • Major features • They are all bipedal (although not necessarily identical to Homo in this regard). • They all have relatively small brains (i.e., at least compared to Homo). • They all have large teeth, particularly the back teeth, with thick to very thick enamel on the molars.

9. Australopithecus4.2-1 million • Longest enduring hominoid

10. Australopithecus4.2-1 million • Longest enduring hominoid • Found in all major geographical regions of Africa,

11. Australopithecus4.2-1 million • Longest enduring hominoid • Found in all major geographical regions of Africa, • Possibly 8 species • OR • 2 genera Paranthropus and Australopithecus

12. Australopithecus4.2-1 million • Longest enduring hominoid • Found in all major geographical regions of Africa, • Possibly 8 species • OR • 2 genera Paranthropus and Australopithecus • All clearly Bipedal • All have relatively small brains • All have large teeth, w/thick enamel

13. Lucy 3.7 –3.5 mya Don Johanson Dicovered in Hadar in 1974 Lucy in combination w/ Leakey footprints tell us about locomotion and stature Lucy 40% of skeleton, one of three most complete, Pre-100,000 Accurate Dates due to Volcanic Ash layers

14. Laetoli (Ash Footprints) Discovered in 1978

15. Laetoli (Ash Footprints) • Convergent Big Toe • Clearly Bipedal • Arch • Slow Moving “Strol” • Short Stride

16. Later More Derived Australopiths(2.5–1.2 mya) • As they adapted to niches, australopiths became more derived and showed physical changes making them distinct from their immediate ancestors. • There were at least three separate lineages of hominins living between 2.5 and 1 mya. • Australopithecus • Paranthropus • Homo • Habilis • Erectus • Floriensis (The hobbitt)?