The Last Common Ancestor (LCA) of the Great Apes, a.k.a. the Hominidae family, marks a pivotal point in our evolutionary history, encompassing the origins of orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans. This ancestor species, likely existing between 15 to 19 million years ago, represents the shared lineage from which all modern great apes have diverged. Current evidence suggests possible candidates for this ancestor ranging from a species within the fossil genus Proconsul from about 19 million years ago to one in the genus Kenyapithecus, dating as late as 15 million years ago. The genus Proconsul survived and evolved from about 22 million years ago to about 18 million years ago in East Africa. Also in East Africa, the genus Kenyapithecus survived and evolved from about 16 million to about 14 million years ago, specifically in Kenya.
Emergence of the Great Apes (Great Apes LCA)
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Emergence of the Great Apes (Great Apes LCA)
16.5 Million Years Ago (+/- 2 Million Years)
Tool potential begins, Neocortical expansion
660,000 Generations Ago
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The Great Apes LCA is one of our deep evolutionary crossroads. From this shared root came the living great apes, including us.
Subject: Great Ape Evolution.
Around 16.5 million years ago, the great ape lineage took shape. This ancestor was not human, chimpanzee, gorilla, or orangutan, but it carried the early traits that made all of them possible: bigger brains, flexible movement, social learning, and the first hints of tool potential. It was not the birth of humanity, but it was the birth of the family that made humanity possible.
Flashcard.
What evolutionary term describes limited morphological change over time?.
Answer. Evolutionary stasis.
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