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Primate evolution tree |
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The earliest primates to emerge evolved during the early Palaeocene (66-56 million years ago), immediately following the extinction of the dinosaurs. Roughly similar to squirrels and tree shrews in terms of their size and appearance, they made the most of the gap left by the recent mass extinction event. By the Miocene, primate (hominoid) species were numerous in Africa. They formed the ancestors of all later apes and human types. Around ten million years ago, the number of ape species had ballooned, but climatic changes in Africa resulted in great changes taking place. Around eight million years ago, gorillas formed a separate group from the common ancestors of humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos. Around seven million years ago, more divergence took place, with the ancestors of modern chimpanzees and bonobos separating from the early hominins (human-like primates). |
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Text © P L Kessler and the History Files. An original feature for the History Files. Go back or return home. |