Apes and humans differ from other primates in that they lack external tails, are more intelligent, rely on learned behaviors, and exhibit multiple internal differences, such as having an appendix (absent in monkeys).
The apes and humans are members of the same superfamily, the Hominoidea. Until the last few years, humans were separated into their own family within this superfamily because it was believed that we are significantly different from the apes. However, recent genetic studies and discoveries from the fossil record have made it clear that some of the apes are more similar to humans than previously believed. Subsequently, the living hominoids are now commonly classified into only two families with humans grouped with the great apes:
- Hylobatidae (Lesser apes: siamangs, gibbons)
- Hominidae (Great apes: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans)
- Hominidae has three subfamilies:
- Ponginae (Orangutans)
- Gorillanae (Gorillas)
- Homininae (Chimpanzees, Bonobos, and Humans)
- Gibbons and orangutans live in Southeast Asia, while gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos are exclusively African apes. Humans originated in Africa as well.
- Hominidae has three subfamilies:
In this exercise, we will be following the older division, in order to look at the similarities and differences between humans and other apes.
Station 5 Reflection Questions
What does the relative length of forelimbs suggest about differences between ape and human locomotion?
What is the purpose of a foot arch? Why do you think we see that here?
