Final answer:
Hominids with a span of more than 2 million years appear in the fossil record. The genus Homo emerged between 2.5 and 3 million years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first hominid fossils appear in the late Miocene, 10 to 5 million years ago (MYA). The human genus, Homo, emerged between 2.5 and 3 million years ago. The oldest known species in the genus Homo is H. habilis, which had a larger brain and more modern human-like features compared to earlier hominin species. It is important to note that new fossil finds continue to be discovered, which may change our understanding of hominid evolution.