![]() Moreover, the canines were probably sexually dimorphic, with males having much larger canines than females, as seen among the living great apes and Miocene fossils. The canine teeth were probably large and sharp, as seen in several Miocene hominoids. The HC-LCA would have had an ape-sized brain and body, with relatively long arms and fingers and a grasping foot that allowed it to forage in the trees. Nonetheless, we know from fossil and comparative evidence that it was much more similar to living apes than to living humans. These species varied in their anatomy and ecology, and it is not clear which, if any, of the fossil species discovered thus far represent the HC-LCA (Kunimatsu et al. There was a great diversity of ape species in the Miocene, with dozens of species known from the fossil record across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Hominins are species on our branch of the hominoid tree after the split with the chimpanzee & bonobo line, including all of the extinct species and evolutionary side branches (Figure 1). The Human-Chimpanzee Last Common Ancestor (HC-LCA) is the species from which the hominin lineage and the chimpanzee & bonobo lineage diverged. In order to understand the evolution of any species, we must first establish its ancestral state: what sort of animal did it evolve from? For our lineage, this requires that we try and reconstruct the Last Common Ancestor of humans and chimpanzees (marked "A" in Figure 1). ![]() We begin this discussion of our species' evolution in Africa, near the end of the geological time period known as the Miocene, just before our lineage diverged from that of chimpanzees and bonobos. The fossil record, along with studies of human and ape DNA, indicate that humans shared a common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos sometime around 6 million years ago (mya). Among the great apes, our closest relatives are the chimpanzees and bonobos (Figure 1). Our immediate evolutionary family is comprised of the hominoids, the group of primates that includes the "lesser apes" (siamangs and gibbons) as well as the "great apes" (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans). The implications are breathtaking if we could travel back far enough in time, we would find common ancestors between ourselves and every other living organism, from porcupines to flamingoes to cactuses. Interestingly, sweet-natured Sko-sho loves little plastic baby dolls and is often seen carrying them around her habitat.Darwin's great insight, and the unifying principle of biology today, is that all species are related to one another like sisters, cousins, and distant kin in a vast family tree of life. She also loves soft flannel blankets and tamarind pods. Kimchi loves being the center of attention. Kimchi is the only gibbon at our sanctuary that engages in rhythmic dancing to solicit attention from care staff. Gibbons have the following basic vocalizations they emit in different contexts: normal duets (structured vocalizations given by the mated pair usually during the mid-morning or afternoon) "ooaa" duets (like normal duets but rarer) calls emitted when predators are seen in times of alarm during territorial disputes or conflict adult male solos (often given early in the day, near dawn or before), subadult male solos, adult female solos (given by mated females when isolated) and contact calls. Junior and Sko-Sho sing the most beautiful duets in the mornings that can be heard throughout the entire sanctuary. When white-handed gibbon Junior vocalizes, care staff members say it sounds like he is singing the bass part in a choir of gibbons. The clear hooting notes begin slowly, then swell and accelerate until they coalesce into an elaborate melody of great carrying power. Gibbons can leap distances of 30 feet or more.īut perhaps the most striking thing about gibbons is the sound they make, especially the swooping high-pitch songs of the females. It is mesmerizing to watch our gibbons use their strong, long, slender arms to swing along lightly and effortlessly in their habitat. The pads guarantee comfortable nights seated on narrow branches high in the forest canopy safe from predators. These sitting pads are indispensable because gibbons do not build sleeping nests. Gibbons have a distinct anatomical feature from other apes as well-tough, horny pads on their buttocks fused to the hip bones. Unlike the other apes-the heavyweight gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan-gibbons weigh only 10 to 20 pounds, although their dense fluffy fur makes them appear bigger. In the wild, gibbons are found throughout the tropical forests of southeast Asia and Indonesia. Junior was born at a Texas zoo in 1976 and Sko-sho is his daughter. Primarily Primates cares for four gibbons: Kimchi, Jose Maria, Junior and Sko-sho.
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