Question

Surviving members of family Hominidae are
A) Homo habilis
B) Homo erectus
C) Homo sapiens
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Hominidae family comprises the Great Apes. There are four genera included in this family – the Pongo, Gorilla, Pan and Homo. There are eight species present in these four genera. They are the Orangutans, eastern and western Gorillas, the common chimpanzee, bonobo and the modern human beings respectively.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Option (a) is incorrect. Homo habilis are early humans from the Pleistocene period. They are the contemporaries of the Australopithecus africanus. They are believed to have evolved into Homo erectus. Studies based on fossil evidence show Homo habilis to be small with partially arboreal habitats. There was marked sexual dimorphism and males were bigger than females. Their diet was rich in meat and it is believed that this diet caused the eventual reduction in the gut size, diverting the energy to growth of the brain. The species homo habilis is extinct.
Option (b) is incorrect. Homo erectus is the earliest recognized species of the genus Homo. The Homo erectus is the direct and closest ancestors of modern human beings. They are the first species of Homo to have a flat face and a human-like body, a distinct nose and body covered sparsely by hair. Sexual dimorphism was present, but in contrast to the Homo habilis, the males and females were the same size. This indicates the possibility of a monogamous society. They were hunters and gatherers and hunted in groups. This species is an extinct one.
Option (c) is correct. Homo sapiens is the only living species of the tribe Hominin under the genus Homo. They are the modern human being or highly intelligent primates. Humans are terrestrial organisms and exhibit an erect posture and bipedal locomotion. After their evolution around 300,000 million years ago in Africa, humans sustained their life hunting and gathering in groups. Eventually as their habitat range spread, civilization was formed followed by establishment of societies.

Option C is the correct answer.

Note: Homo sapiens is the modern human being. They are believed to have evolved from the Homo erectus in Africa. The evolution of this species from the early humans include an erect posture, prominent facial features and highly developed brain. Homo sapiens are capable of clear communication and they live in monogamous societies. At present they inhabit almost all parts of the world.