Gigantopithecus

Explore the Pliocene and Pleistocene in a variety of general websites. Then focus on Gigantopithecus, the most famous hominoid of the period. Finally, write a short essay on the relationships between the Gigantopithecus and the human lineage.

The Plio-Pleistocene
The Pliocene
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/tertiary/pli.html
The Pleistocene
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/quaternary/ple.html

Think about: During these periods, there was a dramatic increase in the number of anthropoid species, but a decrease in the number of hominoids. What was the major climatic event of these periods?

Gigantopithecus
The Ape that Was
http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Ebioanth/giganto.html
From the Teeth of the Dragon—Gigantopithecus blackii
http://www.wynja.com/arch/gigantopithecus.html

Think about: What kind of environment did Gigantopithecus inhabit?


1			Speculate on why Gigantopithecus went extinct. Do you think this was part of the overall pattern of hominoid extinctions, or did early humans have a hand in it? Support your answer.

Your Results:

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