Introduction to Man and Ape
Let’s take a short introduction before knowing the difference between man and ape. Humans and apes belong to the same order- Primates that also include monkeys. Primates belong to the category of mammals who have grasping hands, large brain and high degree of learning rather than innate behaviour. There are about 300 species of non-human primates which are recognized currently by Carl Linnaeus. These are divided into Arthropods and Prosimians; the former includes man, apes and human and the latter consists of Lemur and Loris. Later, the calssification was modified.
Apes Can be Divided into Two Kinds:
1. Lesser Apes
2. Greater Apes
Gibbons are examples of lesser apes and members of the Hominidae family are greater apes such as chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. Let’s see a little more detail about these apes with some examples:
Gibbons are the smallest apes which weigh 4-12 kg and are found in Asian tropical and subtropical forest. They are highly arboreal and have adopted Brachiation. They eat a variety of fruits and are frugivores.
Orangutans are enigmatic primates and are found in the rain forests. They have large body sizes and exhibit sexual dimorphism. They are highly arboreal but travel on ground too. They are frugivores but also consume tree barks, leaves, insects and meat too.
Gorillas are the largest primates weighing over 200 kg restricted to the forest areas of Eastern and Western equatorial Africa. They are sexually dimorphic and the weight of male is more than the female one. They have tall heads and are vegetarian depending upon leaves, stalks and fruits. They are very gentle and move slowly.
Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives and share genetic characteristics with humans. They are found across equatorial Africa from lowland forest to nearly open grasslands. The male chimpanzees weigh up to 68 kg and females are 10 to 15 percent lesser than the males. They spend more time on trees and also are quadrupedal, i.e. do knuckle walking and on ground they walk bipedally for short distances while carrying food or objects.
Bonobos are also called pygmy chimpanzees because of their slender build and they exhibit modest sexual dimorphism as compared to other greater apes. They are only found in areas of the Zaire river in Congo. They are more arboreal than chimpanzees and depend on fruits and leafy material from the forest and occasionally on meat derived from smaller mammals.
Apes and Humans
Knowing about the characteristics of the apes above, we can say that apes can be considered human’s closest living relatives. In addition, apes and humans have more common characteristics than with most other animals such as increased brain volume, social interaction and large body size; this is also due to the fact that we had common ancestors millions of years ago. Despite the similarities between apes and human, there exist many differences between man and human beings which we will explore further.
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Let’s distinguish between ape and man through the following pointers in a tabular form.
Difference between Ape and Man
FAQs on Difference Between Man and Ape
1. What are the main anatomical differences between humans and apes?
The primary anatomical differences between humans and apes relate to their posture, locomotion, and skull features. Key distinctions include:
- Spine: Humans have an S-shaped spine to support upright walking (bipedalism), while apes have a C-shaped spine suited for quadrupedalism or knuckle-walking.
- Pelvis: The human pelvis is broad and bowl-shaped to support internal organs and provide attachment points for walking muscles. The ape pelvis is long and narrow.
- Legs and Arms: In humans, legs are longer than arms, which is an adaptation for efficient walking and running. In apes, the arms are longer than the legs, which is crucial for climbing and swinging (brachiation).
- Skull: Humans have a much larger cranial capacity (brain volume) and a flat face (orthognathous). Apes have a smaller cranial capacity and a protruding jaw (prognathous).
- Feet: Humans have an arched foot with a non-opposable big toe to provide a platform for pushing off during walking. Apes have flat feet with an opposable big toe, which functions like a hand for grasping branches.
2. How did the human skeleton adapt for upright walking compared to apes?
The human skeleton shows several crucial adaptations for bipedalism (upright walking) that are absent in apes. The foramen magnum, the hole at the base of the skull where the spinal cord connects, is positioned centrally in humans, balancing the head directly over the spine. In apes, it is positioned towards the back of the skull. The human spine has a distinct S-curve that acts as a shock absorber, while the bowl-shaped pelvis supports the upper body's weight. Furthermore, the angle of the femur (thigh bone), known as the valgus angle, positions the knees and feet directly under the body's centre of gravity, enabling a stable and efficient stride.
3. What are the key differences in the skull and jaw between humans and apes?
The skulls of humans and apes show significant divergence. Humans have a large, rounded cranium to accommodate a larger brain, with an average cranial capacity of about 1350 cc. Apes have a smaller capacity, typically under 500 cc. Humans have a flat, vertical face (orthognathous) with a prominent chin and a reduced brow ridge. In contrast, apes have a prognathous jaw that juts forward, a sloping face, and a prominent brow ridge. The dental arcade (the shape of the jaw) in humans is parabolic, whereas in apes it is U-shaped. Apes also possess large, sharp canine teeth used for display and defence, which are significantly reduced in humans.
4. From a biological classification standpoint, are humans considered apes?
Yes, biologically, humans are classified as apes. Both humans and the great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans) belong to the superfamily Hominoidea. More specifically, humans are part of the family Hominidae, which includes the great apes. This classification is based on shared ancestry and genetic evidence. While in common language 'ape' is often used to refer to non-human apes, in a strict scientific context, humans are a branch of the ape family tree that adapted for unique traits like bipedalism and advanced cognition.
5. What does it mean that human and chimpanzee DNA is over 98% similar?
The statement that human and chimpanzee DNA is over 98% similar means that when comparing the sequence of nucleotide bases in our genomes, the vast majority are identical. However, the remaining less than 2% difference accounts for millions of genetic variations. These differences are not trivial; they occur in crucial areas that control gene activity (gene regulation) and development. These changes in key genes are responsible for the significant anatomical, cognitive, and behavioural distinctions between the two species, such as brain development, speech ability, and upright posture.
6. How does the genetic difference between humans and apes compare to that between apes and monkeys?
The genetic difference between humans and apes is much smaller than the difference between apes and monkeys. Humans and our closest ape relatives, chimpanzees, shared a common ancestor roughly 6-8 million years ago. Apes and Old World monkeys, however, diverged on the evolutionary tree much earlier, around 25-30 million years ago. This greater span of evolutionary time means that apes and monkeys have accumulated far more genetic differences. Therefore, humans are evolutionarily much closer to apes like chimpanzees and gorillas than any ape is to a monkey like a baboon or macaque.
7. How do the hands and arms of humans differ from apes in structure and function?
Human arms are shorter than their legs and are not used for locomotion. This frees up the hands for complex manipulation. The human hand is characterized by a long, strong, and fully opposable thumb, which allows for a precision grip—the ability to touch the thumb to the fingertips. This is essential for tool making and use. In contrast, apes have arms that are longer than their legs, which aids in knuckle-walking and swinging through trees. Their thumbs are shorter and less opposable, and their fingers are long and curved, adapted for a powerful hook-like grip for hanging from branches, rather than for fine manipulation.
