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Which step in hominid evolution came first bipedal locomotion or larger brains?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
This question HAS been answered. Bipedality preceded encephalization by many millions of years. (This presumes you are using "hominid" synonymously with "hominin", the latter being the term now in general use and referring to bipedal apes, i.e., Hpmo sapiens and our bipedal forebears. "Hominid" refers to all the other, nonbipedal great apes, i.e., Chimp, Gorilla, Baboon and Orangutan.)
The members of the genus Australopithecus, including "Lucy" (A. afarensis), extant between four and two million years ago, were bipedal but with brain size no greater than 450 cc, the size of a Chimp brain today.
The specimen Sehelanthropus tchadensis, dated at 6.5 million years ago and almost certainly bipedal, had a brain size of about 350 cc.
The first appreciable increase in brain size comes at about 1.9 million years ago with Homo erectus, specimens found in Tanzania and Kenya.
Jay Greene, Communications Coordinator
Institute of Human Origins
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What came first in evolution cellular respiration or photosynthesis?
photosynthesis obviously der brains!
How could mutations change a species?
A species of ape when their jungle starts receding could develop bipedal-ness (2 legged walking), and larger brains to survive in the plains. that species could also be called human
Do butterflies have brains?
Yes, butterflies have brains, but they are very small.
Does a moth have a backbone?
yes. steven hawkings controls their little brains. poor souls. thats a lie they have brains that are controlled by there mums or dads and there brains are controlled by the queen moth.
Most of our brains activity is?
unconscious.
Is a australopithecus a hominid?
Yes, Australopithecus is a genus of hominids. They were early human ancestors that lived in Africa between 4.2 and 1.9 million years ago. Australopithecus species are known for their bipedal locomotion, although they had smaller brains and more ape-like features compared to modern humans.
What did Lucy the ape teach us?
Lucy the ape, an Australopithecus afarensis, taught us about early hominid behavior, anatomy, and locomotion. By studying her fossils, scientists have gained insights into the evolutionary history of humans and our ancestors. Lucy's discovery also provided evidence that upright walking evolved before large brains in human evolution.
The Skeleton of the hominid nicknamed Lucy gave anthropologists evidence that?
Upright walking evolved after large brains
Do plankton have brains?
In reality, no they do not. If, however, you are referring to the cartoon character then yes, he is bipedal.
Why is human childbirth so much more dangerous than the animals?
It's an evolutionary compromise between being bipedal and having larger brains. Other animals have a straight shot out the birth canal where as human newborns must make twists and turns to get that large brain out of that bipedal pelvis.
When did human brains began to increase in size?
because of the evolution, it is a nature process of all beings.
What came first in evolution cellular respiration or photosynthesis?
photosynthesis obviously der brains!
Why is the neocortex important to evolution?
Neocortex is the region of brain only present in mammals , and most highly developed in humans , it is involved in all higher brains hence it is most important in mammalian evolution .
How could mutations change a species?
A species of ape when their jungle starts receding could develop bipedal-ness (2 legged walking), and larger brains to survive in the plains. that species could also be called human
What has the evolution of flight allows insects do?
Insects fly by air aerodynamics lift,thrust,drag,gravity! Sheesh use your brains!
What is the differences between man and other mammals?
Primates are characterized by large brains, a greater reliance on vision rather than smell, 5 digits including opposable thumbs, a tendency towards bipedal locomotion, and rounder heads compared to other mammals. Apes are large primates with no tails that spend more time on the ground than other primates, though they are still adapted to climbing trees. Humans are upright-walking apes with much less body hair and greater intelligence.
Why do people rule the world?
Humans rule the world because of a few different factors. First and foremost, our brains are more developed than any other species on the Earth. Second, we have opposable thumbs and we are bipedal, making us capable of using tools and creating things.
