Behavioral ecological implications of early hominid body size

McHenry, Henry M.

doi:10.1006/jhev.1994.1036

Cited by 195 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

101

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…By, and perhaps with, the emergence of H. erectus about 1½ to 2 million years ago (Stringer, 1992), males were estimated to be about 20% heavier than females -a difference that is similar to what is seen in human beings today (McHenry, 1994a;Richmond & Jungers, 1995). In addition to this substantive change in the magnitude of the sexual dimorphism, there has been a dramatic increase in brain volume during hominid evolution.…”

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…(3) Concealed ovulation and continuous, nonreproductive sexual activity (Alexander, 1990). (4) Children have a very long developmental period, relative to other comparably sized mammals and primates, and are highly dependent on adult caregiving (Bogin, 1997;McHenry, 1994a). (5) Menopause (Alexander, 1990).…”

Section: Table 1 Unique and Unusual Human Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although much is known about many of the species composing the genus Homo and the predecessor genus Australopithecus (for accessible discussion, see Tudge, 2000), there is controversy with respect to the classification of these species (McHenry, 1994a(McHenry, , 1994bWood & Collard, 1999). Among these controversies are debates regarding whether variation in fossils presumed to represent a single species in fact represent two or more species, and regarding the evolutionary relatedness of various species (e.g., Aiello, 1992;McHenry, 1994a;Wood, 1992).…”

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these controversies are debates regarding whether variation in fossils presumed to represent a single species in fact represent two or more species, and regarding the evolutionary relatedness of various species (e.g., Aiello, 1992;McHenry, 1994a;Wood, 1992). There are, nonetheless, consistent patterns in the fossil record, such as sex differences in physical size.…”

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are, nonetheless, consistent patterns in the fossil record, such as sex differences in physical size. When these patterns are compared to similar patterns in extant primates, inferences can be drawn about aspects of the social behavior of species of Homo and Australopithecus and about potential changes in social dynamics (Foley, 1999;McHenry, 1994aMcHenry, , 1994bTudge, 2000;Wood & Collard, 1999).…”

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Evolution of Human Parental Behavior and the Human Family

Geary¹,

Flinn²

2001

Parenting

103

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SYNOPSISObjective. To develop an evolutionary model that integrates human parenting and family formation with ideas about the evolved functions of distinctive human characteristics, such as concealed ovulation and sophisticated sociocognitive competencies. Design. Theoretical and empirical research across scientific disciplines is reviewed. The emphasis is on ecological and social conditions that covary, across species, with parenting, family formation, and potentially coevolving characteristics, such as a long developmental period. Results. For humans, social competition through coalition formation emerges as the key selective pressure that readily explains the coevolution of a constellation of characteristics that covary with parenting and family formation, including a lengthy developmental period, reduced sexual dimorphism, concealed ovulation, menopause, complex kinship networks, large brains, and sophisticated sociocognitive competencies. Individual and cross-cultural variations in patterns of parenting dynamics and family formation are viewed as adaptive phenotypic responses to different ecological and historical conditions. Conclusions. Human parenting and family formation are features of a coevolving suite of distinctive human characteristics, the evolutionary function of which is to facilitate the formation of kin-based coalitions for competition with other coalitions for resource control. In this view, a central function of human parenting and the human family is to provide a context for the development of sociocompetitive competencies appropriate to the local ecology.

show abstract

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Table 1 Unique and Unusual Human Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Originsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Evolution of Human Parental Behavior and the Human Family

Geary¹,

Flinn²

2001

Parenting

103

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Comparative primate energetics and hominid evolution

Leonard

Robertson

1997

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

260

174

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is currently great interest in developing ecological models for investigating human evolution. Yet little attention has been given to energetics, one of the cornerstones of modern ecosystem ecology. This paper examines the ecological correlates of variation in metabolic requirements among extant primate species, and uses this information to draw inferences about the changes in energy demands over the course of human evolution. Data on body size, resting metabolism, and activity budgets for selected anthropoid species and human hunter-gatherers are used to estimate total energy expenditure (TEE). Analyses indicate that relative energy expenditure levels and day ranges are positively correlated with diet quality; that is, more active species tend to consume more energy-rich diets. Human foragers fall at the positive extremes for modern primates in having high expenditure levels, large ranges, and very high quality diets. During hominid evolution, it appears that TEE increased substantially with the emergence of Homo erectus. This increase is partly attributable to larger body size as well as likely increases in day range and activity level. Assuming similar activity budgets for all early hominid species, estimated TEE for H. erectus is 40-45% greater than for the australopithecines. If, however, it is assumed that the evolution of early Homo was also associated with a shift to a more "human-like" foraging strategy, estimated expenditure levels for H. erectus are 80-85% greater than in the australopithecines. Changing patterns of resource distribution associated with the expansion of African savannas between 2.5 and 1.5 mya may been the impetus for a shift in foraging behavior among early members of the genus Homo. Such ecological changes likely would have made animal foods a more attractive resource. Moreover, greater use of animal foods and the resulting higher quality diet would have been important for supporting the larger day ranges and greater energy requirements that appear to have been associated with the evolution of a human-like hunting and gathering strategy.

show abstract

Ecogeographical patterning and stature prediction in fossil hominids: Comment on M.R. Feldesman and R.L. Fountain,American Journal of Physical Anthropology (1996) 100:207-224

Holliday

Ruff

1997

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Behavioral ecological implications of early hominid body size

Cited by 195 publications

References 0 publications

Evolution of Human Parental Behavior and the Human Family

Evolution of Human Parental Behavior and the Human Family

Comparative primate energetics and hominid evolution

Ecogeographical patterning and stature prediction in fossil hominids: Comment on M.R. Feldesman and R.L. Fountain,American Journal of Physical Anthropology (1996) 100:207-224

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About