What evidence suggests that Ardipithecus ramidus was a direct ancestor to humans?
What evidence suggests that Ardipithecus ramidus was a direct ancestor to humans?
ramidus, which lived about 4.4 million years ago during the early Pliocene, and A. kadabba, dated to approximately 5.6 million years ago (late Miocene). Behavioral analysis showed that Ardipithecus could be very similar to chimpanzees, indicating that the early human ancestors were very chimpanzee-like in behavior.
What does the discovery of Ardipithecus ramidus tell us about human evolution?
The discoverers argue that the ‘Ardi’ skeleton reflects a human-African ape common ancestor that was not chimpanzee-like. A good sample of canine teeth of this species indicates very little difference in size between males and females in this species.
What is the cranial capacity of Ardipithecus ramidus?
300 to 350 cubic centimeters
The Ardipithecus ramidus skull exhibits a small endocranial capacity (300 to 350 cubic centimeters), small cranial size relative to body size, considerable midfacial projection, and a lack of modern African ape-like extreme lower facial prognathism.
Why is the species Ardipithecus ramidus important in the story of human evolution?
Ardipithecus ramidus is a hominin species dating to between 4.5 and 4.2 million years ago (mya) using paleomagnetic and radioisotopic dating methods. This combination of traits is important because scientists have long considered obligate bipedality to be a defining characteristic of the hominin lineage.
How old is Ardi skeleton?
4.4 million years old
The female skeleton, nicknamed Ardi, is 4.4 million years old, 1.2 million years older than the skeleton of Lucy, or Australopithecus afarensis, the most famous and, until now, the earliest hominid skeleton ever found.
Is Ardi older than Lucy?
The female skeleton, nicknamed Ardi, is 4.4 million years old, 1.2 million years older than the skeleton of Lucy, or Australopithecus afarensis, the most famous and, until now, the earliest hominid skeleton ever found.
What did we learn from Ardipithecus ramidus?
Important fossil discoveries The finds number over 110 specimens and represent about 35 individual members of this species. Most of the remains are dental, but some skull and limb bones were also found. A partial humerus (arm bone) indicates that this species was smaller than the average Australopithecus afarensis.
What is Lucy the skeleton?
Lucy
AL 200-1AL 129-1
Australopithecus afarensis/Fossils
Who found Lucy?
Dr. Donald Johanson
“Lucy” is the nickname for the Australopithecus afarensis partial skeleton that was discovered in the Afar desert of Ethiopia in 1974 by an international team of scientists led by former Museum curator Dr. Donald Johanson.
What is the oldest skeleton ever found?
The Lucy specimen is an early australopithecine and is dated to about 3.2 million years ago….Lucy (Australopithecus)
| Catalog no. | AL 288-1 |
|---|---|
| Age | 3.2 million years |
| Place discovered | Afar Depression, Ethiopia |
| Date discovered | November 24, 1974 |
| Discovered by | Donald Johanson Maurice Taieb Yves Coppens Tom Gray |
How many specimens of Ardipithecus ramidus have been recovered?
Over 100 specimens of Ardipithecus ramidus have been recovered in Ethiopia. Even though it has some ape-like features (as do many other early human species ), it also has key human features including smaller diamond-shaped canines and some evidence of upright walking.
Why did the Ardipithecus have a flat footed stance?
However, the legs were not completely aligned with the torso (were anterolaterally displaced), and Ardipithecus may have relied more on its quadriceps than hamstrings which is more effective for climbing than walking. However, it lacked foot arches and had to adopt a flat-footed stance.
How did the Australopithecus Ardipithecus get its name?
They initially classified it as Australopithecus ramidus, the species name deriving from the Afar language ramid “root”. In 1995, they made a corrigendum recommending it be split off into a separate genus, Ardipithecus; the name stems from Afar ardi “ground” or “floor”.
Why does A ramidus have the same skull size as a female?
The reduced canine size and reduced skull robustness in A. ramidus males (about the same size in males and females) is typically correlated with reduced male–male conflict, increased parental investment, and monogamy.