Origins of Genus Homo (CARTA): Energetics and the Ecology of Early Homo by Herman Pontzer

Origins of Genus Homo

Despite discoveries of remarkable new fossils in recent years, the evolutionary events surrounding the origins of genus Homo are incompletely understood. This CARTA symposium explores evidence bearing on the emergence of our genus, focusing on possible antecedents to Homo, changes in diet and body form as Australopithecus evolved toward Homo, ancient species within the genus, and evolutionary processes likely operating 2.5 - 1.5 million years ago. (from carta.anthropogeny.org)

Energetics and the Ecology of Early Homo. In this talk, Herman Pontzer investigates humans' evolving metabolic strategy and its origins in the fossil record. He discusses the ecological pressures that shaped our genus and the evolutionary origins of obesity and metabolic disease.

9. Energetics and the Ecology of Early Homo

Go to the Series Home or watch other lectures:

1. Homo - What, Who, When, Where?

2. Australopithecus and the Emergence of Earliest Homo

3. Dmanisi, Variation, and Systematics of Early Homo

4. Adaptive Shifts Accompanying the Origin of Homo

5. A Potential Molecular Mechanism for the Speciation of Genus Homo

6. Southern Africa and the Origin of Homo

7. Evolution of Early Human Body Form

8. Evolution of Human Life History Patterns

9. Energetics and the Ecology of Early Homo