Chapter 19, Problem 46A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

Evolution of hominoids from genus Proconsul to genus Homo.

Introduction:

Evolution is a process that living organisms underwent in order to survive in the changing environment. Changes in their genetic makeup and adaptation to the new surroundings/places are a consequence of evolution.

Explanation of Solution

Hominoids, sometimes referred to as ape is a class of primate that includes humans, their fossil ancestors, and the anthropoid apes. Hominids evolved during the period of Miocene Epoch.

Proconsul is known to be the oldest hominoid that is thought to be closely linked to the common ancestors of humans and apes. Gibbons, great apes, and humans are known to share a common ancestral lineage in evolutionary biology, would have included Proconsul.

Modern humans exhibit various numbers of physical features that reflect their ancestry with ape such as shoulders chowing a wide range of movements and fingers that possess the ability to grasp things strongly.

The following figures show the manner in which the hominoids evolved from Proconsul to Homo, the present time humans.

Conclusion

Fossil records and evolutionary history suggest the divergence of humans and chimpanzees from a common hominoid ancestor around 6 million years ago.