Origins of Genus Homo (CARTA): Evolution of Human Life History Patterns by Leslie Aiello

Origins of Genus Homo

Despite discoveries of remarkable new fossils in recent years, the evolutionary events surrounding the origins of genus Homo are incompletely understood. This CARTA symposium explores evidence bearing on the emergence of our genus, focusing on possible antecedents to Homo, changes in diet and body form as Australopithecus evolved toward Homo, ancient species within the genus, and evolutionary processes likely operating 2.5 - 1.5 million years ago. (from carta.anthropogeny.org)

Evolution of Human Life History Patterns. In this presentation, Leslie Aiello explains that although the fossil record offers clues that cooperative childcare may have been present early in the evolution of genus Homo, the full human life history pattern including both extended childhood growth and development and longevity were much more recent evolutionary developments.

8. Evolution of Human Life History Patterns

Go to the Series Home or watch other lectures:

1. Homo - What, Who, When, Where?

2. Australopithecus and the Emergence of Earliest Homo

3. Dmanisi, Variation, and Systematics of Early Homo

4. Adaptive Shifts Accompanying the Origin of Homo

5. A Potential Molecular Mechanism for the Speciation of Genus Homo

6. Southern Africa and the Origin of Homo

7. Evolution of Early Human Body Form

8. Evolution of Human Life History Patterns

9. Energetics and the Ecology of Early Homo