Hominoidea

Definition

Hominoidea is a superfamily of primates that includes the great apes, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans. This group is characterized by their large body size, lack of a tail, and other distinct anatomical features that differentiate them from other primates.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hominoidea diverged from the other major primate groups, such as Old World monkeys and New World monkeys, around 25 million years ago.
2. The great apes are characterized by their large brains, complex social behavior, and tool use, which are also shared by humans.
3. Hominoidea is divided into two families: Hominidae (great apes) and Hylobatidae (gibbons and siamangs).
4. Humans are the only extant (living) members of the Hominini tribe, which also includes several extinct species such as Homo erectus and Australopithecus.
5. The evolution of the Hominoidea lineage is closely tied to the development of bipedalism, which is the ability to walk on two legs, a trait that is unique to humans among the great apes.

Review Questions

• Explain the key anatomical and behavioral features that distinguish the Hominoidea superfamily from other primates.
  • The Hominoidea superfamily, which includes the great apes, is characterized by several distinct features that set them apart from other primates. These include their large body size, lack of a tail, and complex social behavior and tool use. Hominoids also have relatively large brains and are capable of more advanced cognitive functions compared to other primates. Additionally, the evolution of bipedalism, or the ability to walk on two legs, is a unique trait that is shared by humans and sets the Hominoidea lineage apart from their primate relatives.
• Describe the evolutionary relationship between the Hominoidea superfamily and the Hominini tribe, which includes humans and our closest extinct relatives.
  • The Hominoidea superfamily diverged from other major primate groups, such as Old World monkeys and New World monkeys, around 25 million years ago. Within the Hominoidea, the Hominidae family, which includes the great apes, is the closest living relative to the Hominini tribe, which includes humans and our extinct ancestors like Homo erectus and Australopithecus. This evolutionary relationship is reflected in the shared anatomical and behavioral traits, such as large brains, complex social behavior, and the development of bipedalism, that are observed in both the Hominidae and Hominini lineages.
• Analyze the significance of the Hominoidea superfamily in the broader context of primate evolution and the understanding of human origins.
  • The Hominoidea superfamily, and particularly the Hominidae family of great apes, play a crucial role in our understanding of primate evolution and the origins of humans. As the closest living relatives to humans, the great apes provide valuable insights into the evolutionary adaptations and behavioral traits that may have been shared by our common ancestors. Furthermore, the study of the Hominoidea lineage, including the extinct species within the Hominini tribe, has been instrumental in piecing together the complex and fascinating story of human evolution. By examining the anatomical and genetic similarities and differences between humans and other great apes, researchers can better understand the unique evolutionary path that led to the emergence of our species and the development of our distinctive characteristics, such as bipedalism and advanced cognitive abilities.

Related terms

Hominidae: The family of great apes, including humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, which are the closest living relatives to humans.

Cercopithecoidea: The superfamily of Old World monkeys, which are distinct from the great apes in their smaller size, presence of tails, and other anatomical differences.

Hominini: The tribe of great apes that includes humans and our closest extinct relatives, such as Homo erectus and Australopithecus.