Chapter 16.2, Problem 6MI

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The importance of finding of Proconsul species by scientists.

Introduction:

The fossil transition from early anthropoid to ape is not distinct as very few fossils from the late Oligocene exist. The oldest hominoid fossil appears in about 25 mya at the beginning of Miocene. These hominoids retained some ancestral primate features.

Answer to Problem 6MI

The oldest known hominoid fossils are from the genus Proconsul . They are considered to be the ancestors of apes and humans.

Explanation of Solution

Hominoids are the largest of the primates and they have the largest brain size in relation to their body size. They have semi- upright or upright posture and except for hominins they have arms longer than their legs. The oldest known hominoid fossil is from the genus Proconsul . They are considered to be human ancestors. They had the smallest brains of the hominoids. Most had freely moving arms and mainly lived on trees.