Difference Between Ape and Man, Social and Cognitive Differences
Humans and apes are both primates, but they have distinct differences in social behavior and cognitive abilities. Check this article to know more about the Differences Between Amylose and Amylopectin.
Krati Saraswat6 Mar, 2024
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Difference Between Ape and Man: Even though humans have many similar qualities to apes, they have some fundamental differences. Their physical, social, and cognitive differences keep them apart. Also, understanding these characteristics can help us comprehend how humans evolved and what makes them unique as a species. Here, we will learn more about them and their origins by examining what makes them unique from other primates. Let's explore some notable differences between humans and apes.
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Difference Between Ape and Man
Find the difference between Ape and Man given below:| Difference Between Ape and Man | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Ape | Man |
| Family | They belong to Pongidae | They belong to Hominidae |
| Brow Ridges | Prominent brow ridges | Comparatively less pronounced brow ridges |
| Forehead | Sloping | Vertical |
| Chin | Absent | Prominent |
| Neck | Short and embedded neck | Erect and long neck |
| Teeth | They have large teeth placed in a V-shaped dental arch | They have small teeth placed in a parabola-like dental arch |
| Jaw | Large jaw | Small jaw |
| Simian Gap or Diastema | All apes possess a diastema or simian gap (a gap between canines and upper incisors) | Simian gap is absent in most humans |
| Skull | Foramen magnum (skull opening) is directed backwards | The Foramen magnum in man is directed downward |
| Vertebral Column | Lumbar curve is absent. | Lumbar curve is present |
| Pelvic Girdle | Narrow, and elongated pelvic girdle | Broad and basin-like pelvic girdle |
| Limbs | Fore limbs (arms) are typically longer than the hind limbs | Fore limbs (arms) are usually shorter than the hind limbs |
| Hallux | Hallux or big toe is opposable | Hallux in man is not opposable |
| Locomotion | They have semi-erect posture with quadrupedal locomotion | They show complete erect posture and bipedal locomotion |
| Brain | Cranial capacity (brain size) is small | Cranial capacity is relatively larger |
| Body Size | Larger than man | Usually smaller than apes |
| Diet | Most herbivorous but also feed on small animals and insects | They are omnivorous and have a wide variety of food choices like grains, meats, and vegetables |
| Life Span | Shorter than humans. They hardly live past 40 | Comparitively longer life span |
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Social and Cognitive Differences Between Ape and Man
Find the social and cognitive differences between Ape and Man:|
Social and Cognitive Differences Between Ape and Man |
||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Ape | Man |
| Family Structure | They live in social groups that are dominated by males | Complex family structure and relationships |
| Culture | No cultural development | Traditions and culture are usually transferred to the next generation |
| Language | They use only gestures and sounds. Thus it limits the range of communication | Man conveys thoughts via complex language systems. |
| Cognition | Their cognitive abilities are underdeveloped. | They have highly developed thought processes and creative ideas. |
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Humans and Apes
Primates are a diversified order of animals that includes prosimians, greater apes, lesser apes, and monkeys. Humans are a member of the great apes family. Although humans are primates, apes are the primates that resemble us the most. There are several morphological and genetic similarities between an ape and a man. As a result, we are categorised as hominoids, a subgroup of primates, along with all other greater apes.Also Check – Difference Between 70s And 80s Ribosomes
Modern Humans
Homo erectus (upright man in Latin) is the most common ancestor that led to the evolution of modern humans. It originated in Africa and evolved over the past 200,000 years. Homo erectus , the earliest known member of the human genus, was extinct between 1.9 million and 135,000 years ago.
Around 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens developed in Africa. They are the descendants of Homo eructs . These Homo sapiens left the continent during a period of extreme climatic change and interbred with local populations, and raised the modern H.sapiens or humans. Like early people living at the time, they foraged and hunted food and developed behaviours to cope with the difficulties of existence. Since the separation from the last common ancestor, many morphological, behavioural, developmental, and physiological changes have occurred in humans.Difference Between Ape and Man FAQs
Name the common ancestor of man and great apes.
About 25 million years ago, during the Miocene epoch, humans and great apes shared a common ancestor. The great apes like chimpanzees, gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, and humans are assumed to have diverged or split off from Dryopithecus (common ancestor).
What are primates?
Primates are a large group of mammals divided into Strepsirhini and Haplorhines. Strepsirhini includes galagos, lorisids, and lemurs. Haplorhines include apes, monkeys, and humans. They are distinguished from other mammals by their rotating shoulder joints and separated thumbs and big toes that aid in grasping. Primates also have stereoscopic vision.
What are anthropoids?
Anthropoids or simians are higher primates that include all apes and monkeys. They broadly comprise Platyrrhini (new world monkeys) and Catarrhini (old world monkeys). Anthropoids are categorised based on shared genetic characteristics, internal ear similarities, eye position, shared dental characteristics, and foot bone structure.
What are new-world and old-world monkeys?
Old-world monkeys are mid to large-sized monkeys found throughout Africa and Asia. Example - Brown spider monkey. The new world monkeys are descendants of African simians that colonised America. They are typically small to mid-sized monkeys with prehensile tails. Example - Olive baboon
What are hominids?
Hominid refers to all living and extinct great apes, including modern humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and all their immediate ancestors. Hominids are mostly bipedal and tailless primates. Hominids comprise a subset called Hominins, specifically referring to extinct and modern humans.
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