Question

The most ape-like ancestral primate was:

• A. Dryopithecus
• B. Ramapithecus
• C. Australopithecus
• D. Neanderthal man

Hint:

Fossil evidence bridges the evolutionary lineage of primates.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The most ape-like ancestral primate was Dryopithecus.

(A) Dryopithecus - Correct: This Miocene-era fossil (15-20 mya) shows fully arboreal, ape-like features.

(B) Ramapithecus - Incorrect: Now considered a synonym of Sivapithecus, more closely related to orangutans.

(C) Australopithecus - Incorrect: These were early hominins with bipedal adaptations.

(D) Neanderthal man - Incorrect: A late Homo species with advanced tool use and culture.

The correct answer is (A) Dryopithecus, representing the ancestral ape morphology before hominin divergence.

Answer 2

Dryopithecus is considered to be one of the most ape-like ancestors of modern humans. It lived about 12-8 million years ago and showed characteristics that were intermediate between modern apes and early hominids. Ramapithecus and Australopithecus were also important in human evolution, but Dryopithecus is considered closer to the common ancestor of humans and apes.

Option (A) is correct because Dryopithecus is the most ape-like ancestral primate.