Simplified Evolutionary Tree:
Gorillas
Humans
Chimpanzees
Bonobos
Evolutionary tree showing the phylogeny of Primates:
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Millions of years ago
Chimpanzees
Bonobos
Sahelanthropus tchadensis
Orrorin tugenensis
Ardipithecus
Australopithecus anamensis
Adaptations for walking bipedally, smaller canine teeth
Australopithecus afarensis
Australopithecus garhi
Enlarged cheek teeth and jaws
Australopithecus africanus
Paranthropus
Massive cheek teeth and jaws, enlarged chewing muscles
Homo habilis
Slightly larger brain (600 cc), more vertical face without a snout, fingers capable of precision grip, ability to make simple stone tools for processing food including meat
Homo erectus
Smaller jaws and cheek teeth, long legs and arched feet well-suited for long-distance walking and running, larger brain (Homo erectus brains range from 650 cc to 1200 cc)
Homo neanderthalensis
Homo heidelbergensis
Sophisticated stone flakes, tools for hunting, brain size increases to 1200 cc
Homo sapiens
Large brain (1400 cc), small face tucked below brain case, rounded cranial vault, small brow-ridges, capacity for art, symbolic thought, full-blown language
