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1.4 discuss the use of the terms hominin and hominid in terms of the arbitrary nature of classification systems
discuss the use of the terms hominin and hominid in terms of the arbitrary nature of classification systems
- Classification systems are designed to help sort out the millions of living organisms. They are designed for convenience and this leads to the arbitrary or subjective nature of classification systems. The use of the groups hominid and hominin is undergoing change, as new evidence becomes available from biochemical and genetic sources. Hominids used to be a group containing modern humans (Homo sapiens) and their close relatives such as other members of the Homo genus (eg. Homo neanderthalensis and Homo erectus) and members of the genera Paranthropus and Australopithecus. Recent evidence has shown that African apes including bonobos, chimpanzees and gorillas are genetically very similar to Homo sapiens and should be grouped with them as Hominids. To distinguish the group of animals that were once in the group hominids, the tribe grouping of hominin is now used to distinguish the African apes from the genera Homo, Paranthropus and Australopithecus.
An article dealing with hominin/hominid debate:
National Geographic
Viewpoint: Is It Time to Revise the System of Scientific Naming? Lee R. Berger, National Geographic News, December 2001