Homo: The Humans

During the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition the Homo genusappeared in the fossil record. The Homo genus is a a continuationof the Gracile Australopithecines. Like those that came before,Homo is an obligate biped, but unlike its precursors Homo displaysa unique set of physical adaptations along with behaviors that makethe genus unique among hominins. To begin with, Homo and all itseventual lineages display hunting behaviors along with theassociated stone tools necessary to process meat. At the same time,the creation and dependence on stone tools and other culturaltechnologies is a function of the increase in brain size thatbegins with the onset of Homo.

Hunting, the new Homo subsistence pattern, required not just anew kind of mind set to create new cultural technologies but at thesame time required a specialized hand that would allow for bettermanipulation of objects while being capable of resisting the uniquephysical pressures associated with making tools.

In addition, being able to run after prey became essential. TheHomo genus was the first to display adaptations that allow forendurance running. The type of running that Homo becomes known foris not a type of running that allows us to be fast but rather itallows us to run for long distances at a pace which forces prey toundergo hyperthermia over the long run.  

Your task for this activity will be to compare and contrast thelocomotor features of Australopithecusafarensis to Homoerectus. You will accomplish this byanswering the following.

Before you begin make sure view all relevant readingmaterial so that you can give me informed opinions.

What anatomical features makes it possible for Homo erectus tobe a biped runner.

Pick only one feature discussed in this week'smaterial that allowed Homo erectus to be a bipedrunner.  

How is your chosen feature different from Australopithecusaferensis equivalent feature? Briefly explain the difference.

Lastly, I would like you to briefly explain in your own wordshow endurance running would enhance the fitness of the Homogenus.