Humans and Orangutan
Humans more features uniquely shared with orangutans than with any other living ape. Schwartz (1984) proposed that humans are more closely related to orangutans than to chimpanzees - a model that contradicts the greater genetic similarity of base pair sequences in humans and chimpanzees.
The orangutan model presents a conundrum for biological systematics over how to chose between morphological and genetic evidence when they are in conflict. Base pair sequences simiarlity may not always accurately predict phylogenetic relationship and morphology may represent an independently reliable source of information on evolutionary relationships.
Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz. Originator of the orangutan theory of human origins. Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh. USA.
Molecular debate
Latest on the debate over molecular and morphological measures of phylogeentic relationship and
the phylogenetic implications of the orangutan evidence for interpreting molecular similarity
Schwartz, J.H. and Grehan, J. 2009. Reply to "humans as second orangutans: sense or nonsense?
BioEssays 31, 1263-1266. pdf
Stoneking, M. 2009. Humans as second orangutans: sense or nonsense? BioEssays 31, 1010-1012. pdf
Recent Articles
2009
Grehan, J.R., and J. H. Schwartz. Evolution of the second orangutan: phylogeny and biogeography
of hominid origins. Journal of Biogeography 36, 1823-1844. pdf
Lawton, G. Are orangs our nearest relatives? New Scientist pdf copy
Lawton, G. Diga Olá a seus novos primos. Época 27 July, 2009, 110-111. pdf copy
2007
Schwartz, J.H. & Maresca, B. 2007. Do molecular clocks run at all? A critique of molecular
systematics. Biological Theory 1: 357-371.
2006
Grehan, J.R. 2006. Mona Lisa Smile: the morphological enigma of human and great ape
evolution. The Anatomical Record (Part B: New Anatomist) 289B: 139-157.
Schwartz, J.H. 2006. Morphology versus molecules in evolution. Encyclopedia of Anthropology.
2005
Grehan, J.R. 2005. The orangutan and the enigma of human evolution. The Systematist.
Small, M.F. 2005. Relative obscurity. Cosmos.
Books on the orangutan theory
| Schwartz, J.H. 2005. The Red Ape: Orangutans and Human origins. Revised and Updated. Westview Press. Cambridge, MA | Schwartz, J.H. 1987. The Red Ape: Orangutans and Human origins. Houghton Mifflan, Boston. | |
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