The actual Missing Link

[Chanur]

We can all agree on the simple joys of a monkey knife fight.

[Screamfeeder]

Originally Posted by Tuco

Anyone got some laymans terms on why this is the missing link?

Missing Link is the layman term for whats called a Transitional Fossil.

A Transitional Fossil is basically a fossil that shares characteristics of one species with those of another. We see this a lot in the development of the palate (laymans=mouth bone stuff) in early Amniotes (laymans=lizards).

There are thousands of missing links for all forms of animal and plant life and millions still to find.

When people talk about a specific "Missing Link" in terms of apes and humans, they are referring to a fossil that does not exist. it would have to share characteristics of ancient apes as well as those of modern humans. While we do have plenty of transitional fossils(missing links) for apes and early humanoids, it would go against the Theory of Evolution to find a fossil that was half ape and half modern human.

[OhSeven]

Originally Posted by Malakriss

Well ~47 million years of accepted "human development" still puts the dinosaurs as fairy tales in the religion handbooks.

I thought we already had the May version of the "I hate religion" thread. Eh, whatever.

[Malakriss]

Originally Posted by OhSeven

I thought we already had the May version of the "I hate religion" thread. Eh, whatever.

Threads based in reality occur more than once a month. Anyways... CNN picked up the story, more appropriately labeling the find as a "transitional species" rather than the missing link

Scientists piece together human ancestry - CNN.com

[Astrocreep]

History Channel is pretty damned fast. they are already having a special on this missing link on monday

[Fyro]

I always assumed my penis was the missing link. Go figure

[Drave]

... like a rock star already.

[aychamo_aycono]

Originally Posted by Neph

I call BS...That is not one sentence.

lol!

[Lucifar]

My (admittedly quick) read of this stuff gave me the impression that the significance was that this is the most recent common ancestor of both apes, lemur and man.

Have they found complete fossil specimens of common chimp/homosapien ancestor that is younger than 27 million years old?

Hence the usage of the word Link.

[Zeste]

This is preposterous. Ape did not descend from man.

[The Ancient]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Zeste again.

Sigh.

[Arcarsenal]

The term 'missing link' has been used several times. Lucy was the firt major 'Missing Link.' The term is being applied to the biggest gap in archaeological evidence in the fossil records.

All the guy was saying at the end of the article is he wants more research to be conducted until a consensus is reached before calling it the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes.

[Eomer]

^When most laymen and news articles say "Missing Link", it's just that, with capital letters. It's "THE MISSING LINK", the final evidence we require to prove that man descended from apes.

Ignoring of course the fact that we've had a pretty good handle on the lineage of man for the past half century and can trace it quite well. There's always going to be gaps in the fossil record, just because of the nature of the fossilization.

[Banal]

Originally Posted by Lucifar

My (admittedly quick) read of this stuff gave me the impression that the significance was that this is the most recent common ancestor of both apes, lemur and man.

Have they found complete fossil specimens of common chimp/homosapien ancestor that is younger than 27 million years old?

Hence the usage of the word Link.

To my knowledge, a candidate fossil has not been found for a chimp/human common ancestor. If I recall correctly, the genetic data suggests that such a fossil would be about 6-8 myo.

[Nite]

They found him