Question

Study of human evolution tells us that we are descended from ancestors who were arboreal, that is, who were adapted to living in trees. Using relevant concepts from evolution and adaptation, discuss the original primates’ key adaptations to their arboreal lifeway; the adaptations involved in the early humans’ survival; and ways in which the transformation from ape to human appear to have taken place. What is the significance of this evolutionary history?

Answer 1

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Step-by-step explanation:

The original primates' key adaptations to their arboreal life way included binocular vision to judge depth and be able to jump to the next brach without falling to a certain death; an opposable thumb, to be able to hold to a branch with a secure grip, and arms longer than legs to swing from branch to branch. This forced them to walk on all fours but it wasn't disadvantageous because they went down to the floor for short periods. During their transformation to humans which resulted from their invading a new habitat in the more open grassy savannas, the opposable thumbs allowed them to use tools, like rocks and sticks which they could use to get food and defend against their enemies. They had to walk upright on two legs, to be able to see afar and locate potential food or predators, so natural selection eventually resulted in longer legs and a modification in the backbone. The significance of this evolutionary history is that modern humans are what they are as a result of a combination of preadaptations from their arboreal ancestors and the new features that resulted from their new habitat on the open ground of the savanna.