Study the phylogenetic tree below showing a possible representation of human evolution and answer the…

Question

Study the phylogenetic tree below showing a possible representation of human evolution and answer the questions which follow.

ScanSolve AI Tutor · Accepted Answer

Here are the answers to your questions based on the provided phylogenetic tree:

2.3.1:

Locate Paranthropus boisei and Homo habilis on the phylogenetic tree.
Read the approximate starting points of their existence.
- Paranthropus boisei appeared around 2.3 million years ago.
- Homo habilis appeared around 2.4 million years ago.
Compare the starting times.
The species that appeared earlier (further to the left on the timeline) is Homo habilis.
The organism that appeared first on Earth is Homo habilis.

2.3.2:
Identify the existence period of Homo erectus on the tree, which is approximately from 1.9 million years ago to about 0.1 million years ago.
Look for other species whose existence bars overlap with this period.
- Homo habilis (from 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago) overlaps with Homo erectus from 1.9 to 1.4 million years ago.
- Paranthropus robustus (from 1.9 to 1.2 million years ago) overlaps with Homo erectus from 1.9 to 1.2 million years ago.
- Paranthropus boisei (from 2.3 to 1.2 million years ago) overlaps with Homo erectus from 1.9 to 1.2 million years ago.
- Homo sapiens (from about 0.3 million years ago to present) overlaps with Homo erectus from about 0.3 to 0.1 million years ago. Two species whose existence overlapped with Homo erectus are Homo habilis and Paranthropus robustus.
2.3.3:
Locate Homo habilis on the tree.
Follow the dotted line indicating ancestry backwards from Homo habilis.
The line originates from Australopithecus africanus.
The direct ancestor of Homo habilis was Australopithecus africanus.

2.3.4:
These organisms are all hominids, sharing several characteristics:
- Bipedalism (walking upright on two legs)
- Opposable thumbs (allowing for grasping and manipulation)
- Stereoscopic vision (forward-facing eyes providing depth perception)
- Relatively large brains (compared to other mammals of similar size)
- Parental care (extended care for offspring)
2.3.5:
Locate Australopithecus africanus on the tree.
Read the start and end points of its existence.
- It appeared around 3.0 million years ago.
- It disappeared around 2.0 million years ago.
Calculate the duration of its existence.
$3.0 \text{ million years} - 2.0 \text{ million years} = 1.0 \text{ million years}$
Australopithecus africanus existed for approximately $\boxed{\text{1.0 million years}}$ .

Study the phylogenetic tree below showing a possible representation of human evolution and answer the questions which follow.

Step-by-step solution

Locate Paranthropus boisei and Homo habilis on the phylogenetic tree.

Read the approximate starting points of their existence.

Compare the starting times.

Identify the existence period of Homo erectus on the tree, which is approximately from 1.9 million years ago to about 0.1 million years ago.

Look for other species whose existence bars overlap with this period.

Locate Homo habilis on the tree.

Follow the dotted line indicating ancestry backwards from Homo habilis.

Locate Australopithecus africanus on the tree.

Read the start and end points of its existence.

Calculate the duration of its existence.

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