Chapter 16, Problem 33A

Summary Introduction

To explain: The importance of fire to the migration of early Homo species.

Introduction: Evolution is the change in traits of a species over generations, which is mainly dependent on the natural selection.

Explanation of Solution

Homo habilis are the first ancestors to make stone tools. The brain size, features of hands and feet of this species and other evidences which directed the paleontologists towards a new type of human ancestor.

This species was regarded as the direct ancestor of modern humans but later in mid-1980s, discoveries suggested that limb proportion of H. habilis was apelike.

This species also had a larger brain than earlier human ancestors which reflected a significant change to the shape of the skull. But the limb proportion was similar to the earlier australopithecine ancestors.

Conclusion

Homo habilis shows mosaic pattern of evolution.