Hominidae

The Hominidae, known as the great apes, are a family of primates that include eight living species in four groups. These species are the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutan from Pongo; the eastern and western gorilla from Gorilla; the chimpanzee and the bonobo from Pan; and humans, which are the only remaining members of Homo, specifically modern humans (Homo sapiens).

Over time, the term "hominid" has changed meaning. Originally, it referred only to humans and their closest extinct relatives. By the 1990s, it came to include all great apes. Today, "hominid" generally means all great apes, including humans, though some people still use it in the older, narrower way.

The most recent common ancestor of all Hominidae lived about 14 million years ago. This ancestor split from the line that led to gibbons, which belong to the family Hylobatidae, perhaps 15 to 20 million years ago. Because of the close genetic ties between humans and other great apes, some animal rights groups argue that these animals should have basic human rights. Twenty-nine countries have put in place research bans to protect great apes from scientific testing.

Evolution

See also: Human evolution

Long ago, around 22 million years ago, many types of early primates lived in East Africa. These primates were good at living in trees. Fossils from this time help scientists understand how apes and monkeys evolved.

Scientists have found fossils of many early ape-like creatures in Africa and even in places like France and Spain. These fossils show that many different kinds of apes lived during a warm time millions of years ago. Later, around 18 to 12 million years ago, the group that would become gibbons split off from the group that would become the great apes. Around 12 million years ago, orangutans also split off from the other great apes. Evidence from DNA shows that gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans share a common ancestor, with gorillas splitting off first, followed by chimpanzees, and finally humans evolving along their own path.

Taxonomy

Further information: Human taxonomy

The classification of great apes has changed many times over the years. Originally, the word "hominid" meant only humans and their closest relatives. Now, it includes all great apes: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.

There are several related words used to describe these animals:

• A hominoid is any member of the group that includes gibbons and the great apes.
• A hominid is any great ape, such as orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.
• A hominine includes gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans, but not orangutans.
• A hominin includes chimpanzees and humans.
• A human belongs to the genus Homo, and Homo sapiens is the only living species in this group.

Description

The great apes are primates without tails. The smallest of these apes is the bonobo, weighing between 30 to 40 kilograms (66 to 88 lb), while the largest is the eastern gorilla, with males weighing 140 to 180 kilograms (310 to 400 lb). In general, male great apes are larger and stronger than females.

Their teeth are similar to those of Old World monkeys and gibbons, but gorillas have especially large teeth. Humans have smaller teeth and jaws compared to other apes, possibly because we use tools and eat cooked food.

Behavior

Great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans, show interesting behaviors. Although most often move on all fours, they can use their hands to gather food, build nests for sleeping, and sometimes use tools. These animals eat a mix of foods, but chimpanzees and orangutans mainly enjoy fruits. Gorillas sometimes eat leaves and shoots when fruits are scarce.

Both chimpanzees and humans sometimes fight over land and resources. Chimpanzees may work together in groups to defend their area. Young apes are born helpless and need care for many years before they are ready to live on their own.Gorillas and chimpanzees live in small family groups, with males often leading the group.

Legal status

Main articles: Great ape personhood, Great Ape Project, and Countries banning non-human ape experimentation

Because humans and great apes share a close genetic relationship, some animal rights groups believe that great apes should have basic human rights. In 1999, New Zealand became the first country to stop all experiments on great apes, and now 29 countries have similar laws to protect them from scientific testing.

In 2008, Spain made it illegal to use apes in circuses, TV ads, or films. Later, in 2010, the European Union also banned testing on great apes.

Conservation

The table below shows the estimated number of great apes living outside of zoos. Great apes include orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. These numbers help scientists understand how many of these animals are left in the wild and what we can do to protect them.

Phylogeny

The Hominidae family, also called hominids, includes the great apes. Today, there are eight living species grouped into four genera: Pongo (orangutans), Gorilla (gorillas), Pan (chimpanzees and bonobos), and Homo (humans).

Over millions of years, these species evolved from a common ancestor. The orangutan line split off first, followed by gorillas, then chimpanzees and bonobos, with humans being the most recent development. Many extinct species are also known from fossils, showing the rich history of life in this family.