Hominid is the name they receive, in the study of the evolution of species, individuals of the order of higher primates and of the class of mammals.
Formerly, in the classification of hominids or hominidae ( Latin term) only the evolutionary line of Homo was included. The classification was based on the comparative observation of the fossil findings, which highlighted a set of essential common features:
- Bipedal locomotion;
- Progressive increase in cranial mass;
- Stereoscopic vision;
- Opposable thumbs;
- Independent extremities;
- Sensitive hands that can record information.
However, since some studies have shown that humans and other primates share more than 90% of genetic information, the term has been extended.
Today, in addition to the human race, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos have been included in the hominid category. However, depending on their differences, the members of this group are classified into four different genres:
- Homo: the human race.
- Gorilla: the gorillas.
- I put: the orangutans.
- Bread: chimpanzees and bonobos.
This new classification generated changes in the taxonomy of the evolution of primates. Consequently, the term homininosu hominine (in Latin) was coined . This refers exclusively to the genus Homo and Pan.
Now, because this modification is recent, there are still many bibliographic sources that use these terms in the old or traditional way. This forces the reader to be aware of the reference point from which the researcher starts.
Hominids and Homo sapiens
The genus Homo arises from the group of hominids, which gives way to the evolution of the human race. Thus, in the group of hominids we can include the line of human evolution: Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo ergaster, Homo erectus, Homo ancestor , Homo nearthentalensis and, finally, Homo sapiens.
