HUMAN EVOLUTIONCourtesy http://www.lab-initio.com/

Survey – Beliefs in Human Evolution

Skeletal Comparisons

Posture

Pongid HominidBent over or quadrapedal; Knuckle‑walking common

Upright or bipedal

Leg and Arm

Pongid HominidArms longer than legs, adapted for swinging by arm ‑ usually among trees

Legs usually longer than arms; adapted for striding

Feet

Pongid HominidLow arches; opposable big toes ‑ capable of grasping

High arches; big toes in line with others; adapted for walking

Teeth

Pongid HominidProminent; large gaps between canines and nearby teeth

Reduced; reduced or absent gaps

Skull

Pongid HominidBent forward from spinal column; very rugged; prominent brow ridges

Upright on spinal column; smooth brow ridges

Face

Pongid HominidJaws jut out; very heavy; very wide nasal opening; sloping

Vertical profile; More distinct chin; Prominent nasal spine

Brain Size

Pongid Hominid280‑705 cm3 (current)

400‑2000 cm3

(fossil to present)

Proposed Hominid Evolution

Comparison of Hominid Brain Size

This genetic distance map made in 2002 is an estimate of 18 world human groups by a neighbor-joining method based on 23 kinds of genetic information.

Out of Africa

Out of Africa