This assignment is worth 30 points.

First: Go to http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/species.html and read the synopsis of
physical and behavioral traits associated with each potential hominin ancestor.
Cut and paste this link into your browser if the link does not work.

Next: Have a look at the attached Hominin Phylogenetic Tree from pre-2000 (2nd page of this
assignment). You may use this chart as the basis for your own chart or you can create your own chart
entirely. Do not copy identically from this chart. I want to know what you think, not what you can copy.

Then: Complete the following assignment:
1) Draw a phylogenetic tree tracing hominin evolution, using the species discussed in class.
2) Use solid lines to indicate secure lines (solid evidence).
3) Use dotted lines to indicate questionable lines (not enough evidence).
4) Give at least two criteria (specific traits) that include or exclude a particular species from
consideration for being a possible human ancestor.
5) Include a time line and place species on your chart in time-order:

Modern Homo sapiens sapiens
Homo floresiensis
Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
Homo heidelbergensis
Homo ergaster
Homo erectus
Homo rudolfensis (ER 1470)
Homo habilis
Paranthropus boisei
Paranthropus robustus
Paranthropus aethiopicus
Australopithecus sediba
Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus garhi
Kenyanthropus platyops
Australopithecus afarensis
Ardipithecus ramidus
Orrorin tugenensis
Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Requirements:
? Trees must be hand-drawn (no typed or commercially rendered templates)
? Use the website above, class lecture notes and your textbook as your primary sources
of information.

? Trees must be organized and well written to be considered for full credit.
Comparison/contrast is the most useful framework for this assignment.
? Remember to put your full name on your chart before you turn it in.

Possible arrangement of hominin ancestry from before the year 2000.

Several major discoveries have been made in the past 12 years. These need to be included in an updated
chart and may change the configuration of ancestral lines.
What do you think the revised hominin ancestor chart should look like, based on what you have learned this  semester?