Final answer:
Hominoidea, or apes, includes apes and humans, characterized by a lack of tails, more complex brains, and the ability to develop culture. They exhibit notable interspecific variation, and modern humans share a significant portion of DNA with other apes like chimpanzees and gorillas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Hominoidea (Apes)
The superfamily Hominoidea encompasses apes and humans, with some characteristics that are distinct among primates. Members of this group, which includes gibbons, great apes, and humans, lack tails and are often larger with more complex brains compared to other primates. The hominoid lineage is associated with a number of homologous structures suggesting a common ancestor, and members have exhibited notable adaptive traits in response to environmental challenges, including industrial melanism.
Apes exhibit significant interspecific variation and lesser intraspecific variation when compared to other species. The apes, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, alongside humans, are capable of developing language and culture, putting them at a higher cognitive level compared to other primates. The evolutionary history includes hybrid zones where different species of hominoids have mated, but today, the Hominidae family consists mainly of four living genera: chimpanzees, gorillas, humans, and orangutans.
Our genus, Homo, first appeared about 2.8 million years ago and has since seen numerous species, some with traits like bipedalism, improved tool use, and increased brain size. However, modern humans, Homo sapiens, are the only surviving species in this lineage, sharing over 97% of their DNA with chimpanzees and gorillas, underscoring the close genetic relationship within this family.