Hunter-prey correlation between migration routes of African buffaloes and early hominids: Evidence for the “Out of Africa” hypothesis

Abstract

Based on the similarity of migration routes of early bovines and early hominids (direct hunter-prey correlation) we postulate the hypothesis that early hunter hominids followed the herds of buffaloes and that the dispersal of early hominids pan-Africa is directly correlated to the historical migration of the African buffalo. This reasoning gives supportive evidence for the "Out of Africa" hypothesis. In addition, brain fattening ("brain steatosis") has previously been demonstrated after exposure of a juvenile mouse strain to a bovine lard High-Fat diet and starvation -as an evolutionary paradox-in whole brain using LCMS-techniques [1]. Here we postulate the hypotheses that accumulation of specific Triacylglycerols from bovine lard (large amounts of unsaturated C:50-1; C:50-2; C:52-2; C:52-3; C:54-3;C:54-4 and C:56-3 TGs) in early hominid brain could have contributed to encephalization in human evolution. Following this lipidomics based scientific approach [2] we gave supportive evidence for the "Out of Africa" hypothesis.

Los hongos alucinógenos (Psilocybe, Hymenogastraceae) en el desarrollo evolutivo de la consciencia del hombre

“…El traslado de nuestros ancestros desde los entornos arbóreos a las praderas implicó un encuentro más frecuente con ungulados, mamíferos de pezuña, que se convirtieron en una fuente esencial de alimentos (McKenna, 1992). Existe evidencia en la similitud de las rutas que existieron entre bovinos y los ancestros homínidos durante la migración en África, por lo cual su correlación en la vida cotidiana se verifica (van Ginneken et al, 2017). Durante este proceso, también se presume que se toparon con los excrementos de estos animales, donde encontraron hongos, algunos de los cuales contenían psilocibina (McKenna, 1992;Rodríguez y Winkelman, 2021).…”

Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution

“…There are 22 primate species known to eat fungi ( Hanson et al, 2003 ), and African great apes, in particular, are known to ingest a variety of non-nutritional plants to “treat” homeostatic challenges [e.g., to aid in the control of intestinal parasites and/or provide relief from related gastrointestinal upset ( Huffman, 1997 )]. It thus seems highly unlikely that our hominin ancestors ignored the widespread coprophilic species of psilocybin containing mushrooms conspicuously growing on ungulates’ dung (e.g., the pantropical Psilocybe cubensis ), especially since Plio-Pleistocene hominin activities of scavenging, hunting, and eventually domestication of bovines placed this psychedelic within the sphere of daily activities (see van Ginneken et al, 2017 for evidence and discussion regarding the similarity of migration routes of early bovines and early hominins and its implications for understanding our ancestors’ pan-African dispersal). As will be shown below, the likelihood of intentional and repeated use of psilocybin is supported by its low toxicity and by its close resemblance to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which opened up the possibility for its exploitation as a “treatment” for a significant homeostatic challenge recurrent in a socio-cognitive niche – serotonin depletion.…”

Pleistocene Hypothesis – Moving Savanna Perceptual Preference Hypothesis Beyond Savanna

“…Another aspect is the innovation dynamic ( Shennan, 2001 ; Richerson et al, 2009 ), i.e., the acquired unique abilities to colonize new environments ( Hoffecker, 2009 ). The spread of early hominids can, however, also be explained by the acquisition of food, being essential for the development of the brain as the dispersal of early hominids is correlated to the historical migration of the African buffalo ( van Ginneken et al, 2017 ; van Ginneken, 2019 ). In this context, theories on the evolution of the human brain should further discuss the current way of landscape perception in relation to that of the hominids ( Chin et al, 2022 ).…”