This chapter reviews the major events in primate evolution from the time of primate origins through the end of the Miocene epoch and the ape-human split. The emphasis here is on viewing primate evolution as a series of adaptive radiations. The major events discussed in this chapter are primate origins, anthropoid origins, and Miocene hominoid diversity. The evolutionary relationships between humans and apes are discussed using fossil and molecular dating evidence.
1. You should be aware of methods used to date fossil remains, including relative and chronometric methods. You should know the theory behind these methods and their limitations. |
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2. You should know some of the other fields of study that focus on evolutionary evidence such as taphonomy, paleoecology, and species identification. |
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3. You should be familiar with the major events that took place in primate origins, including the appearance of ancestral mammal groups and continental drift. You should know the identifying characteristics of primate-like mammals and the first "true" primates as well as various models of primate origins. |
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4. You should know the evolutionary history of anthropoids, and the fossil and genetic evidence for the evolution of the Miocene hominoids. You should be aware of the difficulties in constructing a "family tree" of Miocene ancestors of modern humans and apes. |