environment of evolutionary adaptedness Flashcards
(10 cards)
When did orangutans split from the human lineage?
Around 9–13 million years ago.
When did gorillas diverge from the human lineage?
Approximately 8.5–12 million years ago.
When did humans split from the common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos?
About 5.5–7 million years ago.
When did chimpanzees and bonobos diverge from each other?
Between 1–1.5 million years ago.
What is meant by ‘Pleistocene megafauna’?
Large-bodied animals (like mammoths, giant sloths, and cave bears) that lived during the Pleistocene and are now extinct.
How does thermoregulation explain bipedalism?
Upright posture reduces sun exposure, especially during peak heat, allowing activity when other animals rest.
How might bipedalism help with predator avoidance?
It gives better visibility and frees the hands for defense or tool use.
What aquatic theory supports bipedalism?
Wading in shallow waters (estuaries, swamps, rivers) could encourage upright walking.
What major evolutionary trend occurred in hominins related to cognition?
A significant expansion of brain size over time.
What does ‘hominid lifeways’ refer to?
The daily survival strategies and social behaviors of early human ancestors.
