It makes perfect sense to me that 99.4% of our most critical DNA sites are identical to chimpanzees and bonobos. The interesting point to bring up is where the differences lie in that small .06%. What makes that small percentage, which accounts for such an overall genetic similarity, allow for such a huge evolutionary distance as well? We do have many similarities, including our skeletal systems, opposable thumbs and our large toes, and the patterns existing from having a common ancestry. Their social patterns, ability to use tools, and the communication that exists with one another are very common links. A very good book to recommend, 'Primates in Question' by Robert Shumaker and Benjamin Beck, discusses many of the issues and questions raised. To illustrate one example of the differences is our ability to communicate with spoken language. 'Humans and the other great apes have all of the same anatomical features related to speech production, but in a slightly altered formation. This small difference has profound consequences related to vocal abilites (Shumaker and Beck)." It is due the positioning of the larynx and how it does not descend in their development. It is also connected to the way we walk. "Bipedalism requires balancing the head in an upright position on top of the spine rather than in a slightly jutted forward position, as in the quadrupedal great apes. This upright position reorients the vocal apparatus as well as increasing the mobility of the tongue. These factors suggest that bipedalism and an increase in cvocal communication were linked for the ancestors of modern humans (Shumaker and Beck)." It is interesting to note that while they cannot produce spoken language, they are perfectly capable of understanding what they hear and the symbols and gestures that they see as well, and can communicate in turn with these symbols.
I find it very enlightening that we share so many notable physical, behavioral and cognitive similarities with our common ancestors and feel that it is our responsibility to make sure that our actions do not influence our evolutionary relatives negatively.
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3 comments:
Im glad you included the quite about bipedalism and vocal communication. Its something I had never thought of before, especially the mobility of the tongue. Makes me think about the physical setup of different animals throats and what effect it has on the sounds they produce.
thanks for the insite! i always feel sad at the chimp "exhibit" at the oakland zoo. especially when someone doesn't read the giant "please be quiet. chimps don't like loud noises sign" and allows their children to bang on the glass and yell at the chimps. they just seem so over it. i wonder if they can get liver qi stagnation? and i like your picture...is that where you live?
I agree. Nicely stated. As per my blog, when we look at Oriental medicine. The Yin & Yang aspects, it has been expressed that it was when we were on all fours, and the Yang of the sun hit our backs, that this was the formation of how they saw the Yin & Yang of the body.
Having chimps be one of the closest to our DNA, and seeing how "Oliver" evolved even a step further, it just seems to make sense. By the way, great pictures.
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