close window
Questions for Discussion: The Transforming Leap, from Four Legs to Two
Discuss the relationship between fossil evidence and molecular evidence in assigning time periods to the various divisions in primate evolution, especially the ape-hominid split and the later split between the common ancestors of chimpanzees and humans. Discuss the ways in which studies of ancient climate and geology contribute to the study of hominid evolution. Discuss several current hypotheses about the driving forces behind the evolution of bipedality, giving the strong and weak points of each hypothesis. What kinds of data do proponents of the various hypotheses have -- or need -- to confirm or reject competing ideas?
