Discussion 5: Human Evolution by Rachel Ford https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5 Issues in Evolution, Fall 2018 en-us 2018-12-04 07:12:02 UTC 2026-01-28 06:18:07 UTC hello@padlet.com Prompt fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/310989550 Africa, and in particular East Africa, plays a prominent role in human evolution (Foley, Martin, Mirazon Lahr & Stringer, 2016). Trauth, et al. (2010) proposed that rift lakes in East Africa amplified by climate change may have heavily influenced early human evolution. Discuss the role that the environment, such as climate change or tectonic processes, may have had in human evolution. Provide specific examples.

Trauth, M. H., Maslin, M. A., Deino, A. L., Junginger, A., Lesoloyia, M., Odada, E. O., Tiedemann, R. (2010). Human evolution in a variable environment: the amplifier lakes of Eastern Africa. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29(23), 2981–2988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.07.007
]]> 2018-12-04 16:34:25 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/310989550 Summary fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/310989856 The environment has influenced many facets of human evolution and will continue to impact future human evolution. Specific examples of impactful environments include  climatic variability, the forest to grassland conversion, geographic isolation, and pathogens in environment. These have been attributed to human evolutionary phenomenon such as bipedalism, and brain development. How will the current changes in our environment due to human-induced climate change impact future humans?]]> 2018-12-04 16:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/310989856 Prompt ordaza https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188136 Foley, Martin, Lahr and Stringer (2016) briefly discuss four directions of research currently being used to study human evolution: Multi-proxy approaches, new technologies and analytical methods, the limits of concepts, and the nature of hominin variation. Choose one of these topics and describe them in substantial detail using outside sources.


]]> 2018-12-05 00:43:31 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188136 Summary ordaza https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188328 The direction that current research on human evolution is taking has a variety of common themes. With regards to the discussion from this week, multi-proxy approaches, new analytical methods, and new technology were at the forefront of dialogue. The main topics highlighted this week were the multi-proxy approach of combining cross disciplines of study (such as paleolimnology and climatology) with the study of human evolution, use of CT scans for new insights, and new analytic approaches to help gain a deeper understanding of human evolution.]]> 2018-12-05 00:44:37 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188328 Computed Tomography (CT) ordaza https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188410 Computed tomography (CT) technology has been used for scientists to piece together ancient fossils with minimally invasive or destructive approaches.  Some of the benefits of CT is that is also gives a more detailed, three dimensional image of a given fossil, and allows for models of the fossil to be made (either physically or virtually) which provide more scientists access and ability to study the fossils without moving the specimens themselves.  While this was a common topic of interest throughout the discussion, it was also mentioned that positron emission tomography (PET) scans have also been used in similar ways with hominin fossils. ]]> 2018-12-05 00:45:08 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188410 Microbiome and Evolution ordaza https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188586 Microbiome data can reveal much in the ways of cultural practices with diet and lifestyle throughout hominin evolution. It was mentioned that the study of microbiome evolution and human evolution is meeting together to see what the future of our microbiome might be, and where it came from. Here is a fun video to explain the importance and origins of our microbiome:
 ]]> 2018-12-05 00:46:03 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188586 Fertility and Mortality Studies ordaza https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188886 Scientists who have studied fertility and mortality rates in relatively recent human evolution have observed a possible shift in behavior.  Where Homo sapiens originally had high fertility rates and high mortality rates, the shift has now occurred to low fertility and low mortality. Below is an image from Our World in Data, projecting world population by level of fertility over time to the year 2100.

Roser, M. (2017, December 2). Our World in Data: Fertility Rate. Retrieved December 5, 2018, from https://ourworldindata.org/fertility-rate

]]> 2018-12-05 00:47:48 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311188886 Prompt rohanir https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311227218 Are humans still evolving? Discuss one of the following topics that provides evidence using outside sources:
  • How and why infectious diseases transform and transmit to humans
  • Examples of cultural evolution in the past, present, and future 
  • Evolutionary developmental biology and future prospects for humans
  • Phenotypic plasticity
]]> 2018-12-05 05:09:08 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311227218 Summary rohanir https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311227616 Based on the examples reviewed in this discussion, there was an overall affirmation that we are still evolving. This included exploring the changes in infant size due to modern birth practices; delving into recent gene-editing tools that may change the future course of human evolutionary development; investigating sexual selection that have influenced physical characteristics among distinct human groups; analyzing human tolerance against chemical compounds and substances due to thousands of years of innovation in agriculture and cooking; examining disease-resistant adaptations in geographically isolated communities; and researching slow changes in human evolutionary development due to modern technology. Although these evolutionary trends were reviewed, argued conflicts and controversies associated with this prompt were also highlighted in this discussion (e.g. lack of biological change historically, evolutionary theory of social change, and difficulties in studying current trends).]]> 2018-12-05 05:14:57 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311227616 rohanir https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311241254 2018-12-05 07:02:32 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311241254 rohanir https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311241538 2018-12-05 07:04:59 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311241538 rohanir https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311242354 2018-12-05 07:10:49 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311242354 rohanir https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311242783 2018-12-05 07:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311242783 Climatic Variability fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311254503 The climate has exhibited extreme natural shifts in climate many times during earth's history. For example, the Pleistocene period contained dramatic climate shifts that also happened to correspond to significant developments in human evolution. ]]> 2018-12-05 08:14:20 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311254503 Forest to Grassland Conversion fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311256949 Pollen markers indicate a shift from forests to grasslands around 15 million years ago, perhaps after a period of global cooling. Grasslands presented new challenges to humans, including the need for faster movement and collaborative efforts to avoid predators.]]> 2018-12-05 08:25:06 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311256949 Geographic Isolation fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311258869 Mountain ranges, rift valleys and lakes in East Africa and refugiums during the Ice Ages may all have isolation early human populations, creating population bottlenecks that could lead to genetic change and speciation. ]]> 2018-12-05 08:33:58 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311258869 Pathogens in the Environment fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311258900 The existence of particular pathogens in the environment may have influenced human evolution. For example, in tropical regions with high rates of malaria, the allele for sickle cell anemia has increased in frequency, leaving the population more protected from malaria.]]> 2018-12-05 08:34:08 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311258900 Bipedalism fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311259047 The ability to walk on two feet provided several adaptive advantages to early humans, including the ability to see predators and move more quickly.]]> 2018-12-05 08:34:48 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311259047 Brain Development fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311259088 Significant brain development occurred during the Pleistocene period. The "social brain" that developed was adaptable, flexible and allowed for collaboration to better withstand climatic and other challenges. Additionally, brain plasticity may have enabled early humans to better survive in the environment. What does it mean that our brains are getting smaller?]]> 2018-12-05 08:34:58 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311259088 Human-Induced Climate Change and Future Humans fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311262952 What does the future look like for humans given the significant, human-induced changes in climate that are occurring? Research is pointing to expanded ranges for disease, decreased air quality, more respiratory issues and other health implications. Additionally, climate change may have a role in increased geopolitical conflicts. ]]> 2018-12-05 08:53:32 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311262952 Beyond the Environment... fordr3 https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311262970 The environment is just one of many factors that influenced the progression of human evolution. Theories abound about what makes us human and how and when it happened. ]]> 2018-12-05 08:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311262970 Prompt https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311459540 Discuss the differences between human-infectious diseases of temperate versus tropical origin and explain how understanding the origins of infectious diseases may aid in identification and treatment and prevention. (Wolfe, et al, 2007) Please cite outside references to substantiate your claim.]]> 2018-12-05 16:48:25 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311459540 Summary https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311460114 Discussion from this prompt showed that with the same origin from the Old World, tropical diseases are more vector-born (flies, mosquitos, kissing beetle) to transmit from the host to the human. For example: dengue, malaria, Zika, sleeping sickness, river blindness. Temperate diseases are more acute and can be easily transmitted from human to human. For example: flu, SARS, HIV. More on differences between temperate and tropical diseases can be further found at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK114494/ .

Understanding the origins of infectious diseases also means understanding about the vector, the host, transmission route, incubation and more about the diseases. With the impact of climate change and global warming, convenient of international travel and connected world, human infectious diseases are spreading easily through regions and continental. These require the development of nut only public health, veterinary medicine but environmental health (One Health approach) to detect, monitor, prevent, control and eliminate and protect human population from outbreaks.]]> 2018-12-05 16:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311460114 Culture and Evolution ordaza https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311640016 Throughout the discussion, participants brought up examples of how evolution and cultural shifts has happened in hominin history. The use of certain tools that have been uncovered globally during early Homo years, such as the Acheulean handaxe (pictured below). Another mentioned example is the advent of hunting and gathering directly following the development of grasslands in Africa.
Image below: Bostrom, 2008 Paleolithic era Achuelan handaxes]]> 2018-12-06 00:25:13 UTC https://padlet.com/fordr3/IEV_Discussion5/wish/311640016