Post by Tamrin on Aug 9, 2008 18:17:15 GMT 10
The aquatic ape hypothesis (AAH), sometimes referred to as the aquatic ape theory, asserts that wading, swimming and diving for food exerted a strong evolutionary effect on the ancestors of the genus Homo and is in part responsible for the split between the common ancestors of humans and other great apes. The AAH attempts to explain the large number of physical differences between humans and other apes, such as lack of body hair, larger brains and upright posture, in terms of the methods of feeding and types of food of early hominids living in coastal and river regions.
Hypotheses
As compared to their nearest living relatives, the great apes, humans exhibit many significant differences in anatomy, including bipedalism, hairless skin, increased subcutaneous fat, greatly expanded brain size, a hooded nose which prevents water from entering the nostrils, and greasy skin with an abundance of sebaceous glands, which can be interpreted as a waterproofing device. There are several variants on the broad theme that early or proto-humans lived in close proximity to water, gathering much of their food in or near shallow bodies of water and developing and adapting new modes of locomotion in order to move and gather food (possibly including wading, swimming, and diving). Proponents have disagreed on the relative importance of fresh water versus coastal salt- or brackish-water habitats. Although the earliest proponents argued for an early (Miocene, ca 6 Ma) timescale, most now favour the view that the critical period of close association with waterside habitats was much later, with or just before the advent of genus Homo ca 2.5 Ma.
Hypotheses
As compared to their nearest living relatives, the great apes, humans exhibit many significant differences in anatomy, including bipedalism, hairless skin, increased subcutaneous fat, greatly expanded brain size, a hooded nose which prevents water from entering the nostrils, and greasy skin with an abundance of sebaceous glands, which can be interpreted as a waterproofing device. There are several variants on the broad theme that early or proto-humans lived in close proximity to water, gathering much of their food in or near shallow bodies of water and developing and adapting new modes of locomotion in order to move and gather food (possibly including wading, swimming, and diving). Proponents have disagreed on the relative importance of fresh water versus coastal salt- or brackish-water habitats. Although the earliest proponents argued for an early (Miocene, ca 6 Ma) timescale, most now favour the view that the critical period of close association with waterside habitats was much later, with or just before the advent of genus Homo ca 2.5 Ma.