Speciation & Primates
Welcome to Episode 3 of our Human Evolution Mini Series! Get ready to explore the fascinating world of primates and take a deep dive into our branch on the evolutionary tree of life. By discovering the incredible diversity of our closest living relatives, we can gain a deeper understanding of our own species—Homo sapiens. Did you know that humans are primates?
In fact, there are many different species of primates including gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, mandrills, macaques, lemurs, tarsiers, orangutans, and many more! In this episode, we will explore the shared traits that define primates, including their large brains, forward-facing eyes, and sociable nature.
By exploring the connections, similarities, and differences between all of the different species of primates, we get closer and closer to unveiling the truth of humanity's evolutionary past. Learning about primates through comparative anatomy, genetics, behavior, and ecology allows us to unravel the threads that connect us on the branches of the evolutionary tree.
Episode 3 At A Glance
- Speciation and the origins of life on Earth
- What is a primate?
- The branches of the primate family tree
- Why we study primates (including comparative anatomy, genetics, behavior, and ecology)
