hominoids
Apes and gibbons
Hominoids are the superfamily of primates that includes humans and apes—gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons.
The term distinguishes this group from monkeys, which have tails and different skeletal structures.
In biological classification, hominoids share characteristics like broad chests, no tails, and relatively large brains: Hominoids diverged from Old World monkeys about 25 million years ago.
Largest great ape
- chimpanzeeGreat ape, genus Pan
- bonoboCongo Basin great ape
- orangutanLarge red-haired Asian ape
- gibbonTailless tree-dwelling primate
siamang · great apes · knuckle-walking · brachiation · arboreal · simian · troop · alpha male
Differential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
divergence · common ancestor · hominin · Australopithecus · Neanderthal · gene flow · mutation · genomic
Having two feet
- upright postureVertical body alignment
- opposable thumbsDigits that press against fingers
- prehensileAdapted for grasping
- cranial capacitySkull's internal volume
brow ridge · dentition · skeletal structure · pelvis · spinal curvature · grasping hands · stereoscopic vision · large brain
Study of ancient organisms
- excavationAct of unearthing
- carbon datingIsotope-based age measurement
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- MiocenePre-Pliocene geological epoch
Pliocene · Pleistocene · Lucy · Ardipithecus · cranium · mandible · skeletal remains · Rift Valley
Connections uniting group members
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- tool useManipulating objects purposefully
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
problem-solving · culture · learning · cooperation · hierarchy · infant care · play · aggression
gorilla
Largest great ape
- chimpanzeeGreat ape, genus Pan
- bonoboCongo Basin great ape
- orangutanLarge red-haired Asian ape
gibbon · siamang · great apes · knuckle-walking · brachiation · arboreal · simian · troop · alpha male · social structure
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
cladistics · divergence · common ancestor · hominin · Australopithecus · Neanderthal · gene flow · mutation · genomic · phenotype
bipedal
Having two feet
- upright postureVertical body alignment
- opposable thumbsDigits that press against fingers
- prehensileAdapted for grasping
cranial capacity · brow ridge · dentition · skeletal structure · pelvis · spinal curvature · grasping hands · stereoscopic vision · large brain · shoulder mobility
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- excavationAct of unearthing
- carbon datingIsotope-based age measurement
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
Miocene · Pliocene · Pleistocene · Lucy · Ardipithecus · cranium · mandible · skeletal remains · Rift Valley · sediment
social bonds
Connections uniting group members
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- tool useManipulating objects purposefully
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
vocalization · problem-solving · culture · learning · cooperation · hierarchy · infant care · play · aggression · reconciliation
hominoidsmonkeys
Tailed primates, not apes
Old World monkeys · New World monkeys · lemurs · tarsiers · lorises