Homo

Homo is a genus of primates that includes modern humans (Homo sapiens) and species closely related to them. The genus is estimated to be about 2.3 to 2.4 million years old, possibly having evolved from australopithecine ancestors, with the appearance of Homo habilis.

Taxonomy

The genus Homo was given its taxonomic name to suggest that its member species can be classified as human. The Latin homo means "human being" or "man" in the generic sense of "human being, mankind". The genus includes, among others, Homo habilis, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens.

Evolution

The genus Homo evolved and diverged from other hominins in Africa several million years ago, after the human clade split from the chimpanzee lineage of the hominids (great apes) branch of the primates. The closest living relatives of the genus Homo are the bonobos and common chimpanzees.

Species

The genus Homo contains the species Homo habilis, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens, among others. All of these species, except for Homo sapiens, are extinct. Homo neanderthalensis, which became extinct 40,000 years ago, has been the subject of much debate regarding its status as a subspecies of Homo sapiens.

See also

• Hominidae
• Human evolution
• List of human evolution fossils

References

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External links

• WikiMD article on Homo

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