new hominid synapomorphy and thanks to all

[Richard.Zander at MOBOT.ORG]

"Start it all off?" no no no no no no.
Ken Kinman started it. Thanks, Ken!
R.

______________________
Richard H. Zander
Bryology Group
Missouri Botanical Garden
PO Box 299
St. Louis, MO 63166-0299
richard.zander at mobot.org <mailto:richard.zander at mobot.org>
Voice: 314-577-5180
Fax: 314-577-9595
Websites
Bryophyte Volumes of Flora of North America:
http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/bfna/bfnamenu.htm
Res Botanica:
http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/resbot/index.htm
Shipping address for UPS, etc.:
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110



-----Original Message-----
From: John Grehan [mailto:jgrehan at SCIENCEBUFF.ORG]
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 8:48 PM
To: TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU
Subject: [TAXACOM] new hominid synapomorphy and thanks to all


Firstly, to end 2004 I want to thank all my interlocutors for some great
feedback and interesting perspectives on my miscellaneous and usually
pointed observations (some of the best actually off list). I find this list
more satisfactory for dialogue than any conference or symposium I have
experienced as it active, open ended and global in participation without the
constraints imposed by conference scheduling. And even when I pick on things
such as teleology that I must admit I do find irritating enough to jump on
(sorry Ken!) I am always aware that my view is just one opinion among many.
And I must express my appreciation to Richard Zander for having the insight
to start it all off. I look forward to another year of interesting
engagement.

And to at least point in that direction it is with great pleasure that I
announce another new synapomorphy (or at least a uniquely shared feature)
between humans and orangutans. It seems that the posterior upper palate of
both humans and orangutans is thickened or remains as thick compared with
chimpanzees and all other primates (and even mammals in general) where the
posterior upper palate becomes thinner. The human-orangutan condition is
also found in fossil hominids (Homo, Australopithecus). Some of you may have
seen published illustrations showing a posteriorally thinned upper palate
for Australopithecus which is based on one specimen where the longitudinal
break down the mid line is actually to one side and probably shows lateral,
rather than posterior thinning. The 2004 scoreboard in the humanity stakes
is currently: orangutans 43, chimpanzees 4 (maybe less).

John Grehan