Hominid vs. Hominin — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 15, 2024
Hominids are a broader group including all great apes, whereas hominins specifically refer to the lineage that led to humans after splitting from chimpanzees.
Difference Between Hominid and Hominin
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hominids encompass a family called Hominidae, which includes orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans, highlighting a broader taxonomic category. Whereas hominins are a subgroup within the hominids, focusing specifically on species more closely related to humans than to chimpanzees.
The classification of hominids reflects broader evolutionary relationships and physical characteristics shared among the great apes and humans, such as large brain sizes and social behaviors. On the other hand, hominins are defined by traits more specific to human lineage, like bipedalism and larger brain capacities compared to other apes.
Fossil records for hominids include a wide range of apes from various geographical regions and time periods, demonstrating a diverse group. In contrast, hominin fossils are primarily found in Africa and show a more direct pathway to modern humans, emphasizing evolutionary developments like tool use.
In terms of evolutionary timeline, hominids trace back about 14-16 million years ago when the lineages of the great apes and humans diverged. On the other hand, hominins split from the chimpanzee lineage, specifically about 6-7 million years ago, marking a narrower evolutionary scope.
Cultural and technological advancements are rarely attributed to hominids outside of the hominin group, focusing mostly on physical evolution and adaptation. Meanwhile, hominins are studied extensively for their advancements in tool-making and cultural development, which are seen as precursors to human society.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Family including all great apes and humans
Subgroup specifically leading to humans
Includes
Orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, humans
Humans and direct human ancestors
Evolutionary Split
About 14-16 million years ago
About 6-7 million years ago
Key Traits
Large brain, social behaviors
Bipedalism, larger brains, tool use
Fossil Distribution
Global, various regions
Mostly African
Compare with Definitions
Hominid
Represents a wide evolutionary category encompassing the great apes and humans, based on shared anatomical and genetic traits.
Hominids generally exhibit advanced cognitive abilities and use of tools, though to varying extents across species.
Hominin
Focused on species that are directly linked to the lineage leading to and including modern Homo sapiens.
Hominins such as Neanderthals show direct evolutionary links to modern humans through DNA evidence.
Hominid
A member of the taxonomic family that exhibits large brain size and upright posture in some species.
Gorillas, as hominids, have adapted to walking upright occasionally when carrying food or in defensive situations.
Hominin
Defined by specific evolutionary traits such as bipedalism and larger brain sizes compared to body size.
The development of bipedalism allowed early hominins like Homo habilis to use tools more effectively.
Hominid
Includes species that have a more diverse global distribution, adapting to a variety of habitats from Africa to Asia.
Orangutans are Asian hominids that primarily live in trees in Indonesian rainforests.
Hominin
Mostly found in African fossil records, providing insights into human evolutionary biology.
The discovery of hominin fossils in Africa's Great Rift Valley has been pivotal in piecing together human ancestry.
Hominid
Any species belonging to the family Hominidae, which includes humans, gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees, known for their complex social behaviors, are classified as hominids.
Hominin
Refers specifically to the group consisting of modern humans, extinct human species, and all our immediate ancestors including those closer to humans than to chimpanzees.
Australopithecus, an early hominin, is crucial for understanding human evolution due to its bipedal locomotion.
Hominid
Encompasses both extinct and extant species that share a common ancestor with humans.
The extinct Gigantopithecus was a hominid that roamed Asia, believed to be the largest ape ever to have lived.
Hominin
Includes those species that exhibit cultural and technological advancements such as tool use and fire control.
Evidence of controlled use of fire by Homo erectus marks an important milestone in hominin technological evolution.
Hominid
Any of various primates of the family Hominidae, which includes orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and modern humans, and their extinct relatives. The family formerly included only Homo sapiens, extinct species of Homo, and the extinct genus Australopithecus.
Hominin
Any of various primates of the tribe Hominini, including Australopithecus, other Pliocene and Pleistocene human relatives, and Homo sapiens, the only extant species. The hominins were formerly referred to as hominids.
Hominid
Any primate of the taxonomic family Hominidae, which includes all the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans) as well as humans.
Hominin
(palaeontology) Any member of the taxonomic tribe Hominini, the evolutionary group that includes modern humans and now-extinct bipedal relatives.
Hominid
Of the Hominidae.
Hominid
A primate of the family Hominidae
Hominid
Characterizing the family Hominidae, which includes Homo sapiens sapiens as well as extinct species of manlike creatures
Common Curiosities
What are hominins?
Hominins are the group that includes modern humans and all our ancestors back to the split with the chimpanzee lineage.
What traits define a hominin?
Traits such as bipedalism, larger brain sizes relative to body size, and tool use define hominins.
Where are hominin fossils typically found?
Hominin fossils are mostly found in Africa, showing a clear pathway of human evolution.
What is the significance of the hominin fossil record?
The hominin fossil record is crucial for understanding the specific evolutionary path that led to modern humans.
Why are hominins significant in human evolutionary studies?
Hominins are studied extensively because they directly inform our understanding of human evolution.
What distinguishes hominin fossils from other hominid fossils?
Hominin fossils are distinguished by characteristics directly linked to human traits, such as bipedalism.
What are hominids?
Hominids are members of the family Hominidae, which includes humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans.
Can hominids be found outside of Africa?
Yes, hominids such as orangutans and gorillas are found in Asia and Africa respectively.
How do hominids differ from hominins?
Hominids include all great apes, focusing on a broad family, while hominins are specifically the lineage that evolved towards humans.
How do hominids and hominins relate to other primates?
Hominids are one of the families of the order Primates, which includes all primates, whereas hominins are a specific lineage within hominids.
Are all humans considered hominids?
Yes, all humans are part of the Hominidae family, thus are hominids.
How does the study of hominins help in understanding human behavior?
Studying hominins helps in understanding the origins and evolution of human behavior and social structures.
When did hominids first appear according to fossil records?
Fossil records suggest hominids first appeared about 14-16 million years ago.
What evolutionary traits are shared by all hominids?
Large brains and complex social structures are traits shared among hominids.
What are the key differences in the habitats of hominids and hominins?
While hominids occupy a variety of habitats globally, hominins are predominantly associated with African landscapes during their evolutionary history.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
