Chapter 1, A Tale of Three Chimps
• The species Homo sapiens (humans) is compared and contrasted to Pan troglodytes (chimpanzees).
• The author rapidly presents several broad areas of research, which suggest that chimps are the closest living relative to humans.
• Recently, molecular data obtained from DNA hybridization suggests that humans, chimpanzees, and gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) are all very closely genetically related.
• The author presents a phylogenetic clade of the hominids which shows chimps, humans, and gorillas breaking off from the remaining higher primates.
• The author then argues that humans and chimps should properly be considered to be two species within a single genus; as Homo precedes Pan in the nomenclature, the author suggests chimps be reclassified as Homo troglodytes and, presumably, Homo paniscus.
• The chapter concludes with an ethical discussion about the implications of classifying chimps as Homo.
Chapter 2, The Great Leap Forward
• Chapter 2 presents a brief overview of...
This section contains 2,673 words (approx. 9 pages at 300 words per page) |