Hominini (hominins)

Family
Hominidae
(large apes & us)
Subfamily
Homininae
(Chimps & us)

Tribe Panini
(chimpanzees)

Tribe Hominini
(humans)

Our tribe is characterized by 2 major adaptive

complexes:

Dentition
Locomotion

Dental pattern that starts with

Aegyptopithecus-seen in all apes
(Hominoids) except us (Hominins)
2:1:2:3 & 5 Y lower molar cusp pattern
Canine/P3 Honing Complex
Large front teeth
specifically large, pointed,
overlapping, interlocking canines
P3 - sectorial (single cusp, pointed,
canine-like tooth)
Diastema
Relatively small back teeth (molars)
Thin enamel
Tall, thin mandible

Ape Human Dental Comparison

Reduced anterior teeth
specifically small canines
No diastema
Bicuspid (2 cusps) P3

Large back teeth

Large projecting
canines

Small back teeth

Diastema
Canine/P3
honing
Sectorial (single cusped) P3

Hominin Skeleton
is adapted for bipedalism
This adaptation is evident
throughout the entire skeleton

Cranium
Position of the Foramen Magnum
Biped - centrally
placed foramen
magnum

Ape = more
posteriorly
placed foramen
magnum

Centrally placed
foramen magnum
indicates a vertical
body posture

Vertebral Column
1.

is S-shaped in a biped

2.

This facilitates
balanced vertical column

Ape
Single curved
vertebral column

Hominin
Double curved
(S shaped)
vertebral
column

Thorax
1. Reflects hominoid ancestry in that it is very
broad & shallow with the scapula placed
dorsally and a broad fused sternum.
2. The trunk is relatively short particularly in the
lumbar region

The thorax is barrelshaped in humans

The thorax is upside

down funnel

Pelvis
short, broad, laterally
angled ilium
1. - serves to lower the center of gravity & provides
better balance & stability
2. - pelvis shape changes the positions of the hip
muscles (gluteal muscles), act to balance the
trunk over the lower limbs during locomotion

Human pelvis is
short, broad bowlshaped

Ape pelvis is tall,

narrow with an antpost facing ilium

Pelvic Shape
Changes Muscle Orientation
In apes the small
gluteal muscles act
as extensors to pull
the leg backwards.

In bipeds there is a
lateral orientation for
the small gluteal
muscles that run
from the ilium to the
outside of the femur.

Relatively long hind limb

Obliquely angled femur

places the
knees directly
beneath the
body

Apes have a short,

vertical hind limb

Effects of the
oblique femur
this orientation
affects other
bony
elements:
length of the
femoral
neck & the
relative size
of the medial
& lateral
distal condyles

Bipedal Foot

1. The bipedal foot has been modified into a rigid lever

2. The 1st digit (big toe) is adducted (not divergent).
3. The phalanges are shorter & straighter than in
apes.
4. The ligaments on the
sole of the foot form
two bony arches that
act as shock
absorbers

The ape foot is a

prehensile or grasping
foot.

Ape-Human Skeleton
Comparison

Foot has adducted

hallux, short & straight
phalanges and double
arch.

Foot has abducted

hallux (grasping), long
& curved phalanges
and no arch.

MODELS FOR
HOMININ ORIGINS Bipedalism
1.

CARRYING canine reduction, tool use, bipedalism

2.

CARRYING & MATING STRATGY

2a MAN THE HUNTER

sexual division of labor = males hunt-females were

sedentary & tied to a home base with children
monogamy& lack of estrus insure female fidelity to the
male & contribute to male/male cooperation because it
would reduce male/male competition for estrus females .

More Hypotheses
2b. MALE
PROVISIONING
MODEL
O. Lovejoy
The prime mover was
the selective
advantage of
increased male
parental investment

3. DIETARY HYPOTHESES
3a. C. Jolly (70s) comparisons of baboons & early
hominins.
3b R.Tuttle proposed (80s) standing
upright in the
trees for feeding.
3c. Hunt (90s) added
the idea of feeding
as a biped in the trees
& on the ground.

More Hypotheses
4. ENERGETIC EFFICIENCY HYPOTHESIS
Rodman & McHenry,
1980 - Bipedalism is
more cost efficient
while walking.
Forest reduction at
end of the Miocene,
Hominins walked to
forest resources.
5.TEMPERATURE EFFICIENCY HYPOTHESIS
P. Wheeler 1990s - bipedal posture reduces the
bodys surface area that is exposed to direct sunlight.