Early Hominin Phylogeny lineage that led to modern humans, and summarize it for me.
As you have seen in the text, there are MANY different interpretations of how modern humans may have come to be on this world. Based on your reading and other scientific content you may research, what is YOUR best interpretation of the fossil record? Focus on the Pliocene Epoch (about 6.5 – 2 million years ago; this would include the “pre-australopithecines” and australopithecines). I know that I said you would only have to worry about “robust” and “gracile” lineages, but that was for everything except this assignment – here I want species. Concentrate on your interpretation of the lineage that led to modern humans, and summarize it for me. Which species of those named in the book are in our lineage? The ones which you think are NOT part of our lineage are not included in this assignment! It is an unacceptable “cop-out” for you to just say that none of them belong in the list, and blow off the assignment. (Keep in mind, I am asking you for the scientific evidence; if you do not believe this is how we came to be here, you need to understand, and reconstruct, the best model you can find for the evolution of early hominins.) For each species you include in your answer, I need the following information: Species name, where it comes from, how long it was around, and what species it gave rise to. I am asking for YOUR best effort to reconstruct human phylogeny, so make sure your work is original.
