Aquatic ape hypothesis

The aquatic ape hypothesis (or aquatic ape theory as it is frequently called) holds that some hominid ancestors of humans spent a significant time in a semi-aquatic setting, living on the African seacoast and gathering most of their food from the seashore[?] and shallow offshore waters, before returning to a more land-based existence.

This is a minority position not widely held in biology. The conventional view of human evolution is that humans evolved on the savannas of Africa.

The theory was originally suggested by Alister Hardy[?]. Elaine Morgan[?] studied and promoted it, producing books on the subject including The Aquatic Ape[?] and The Scars of Evolution[?].

The aquatic ape theory puts forward these main arguments:

Nakedness: Of the hundreds of primate species, humans are the only species in which hair does not cover almost the entire body. The only environments known to give rise to naked mammals are aquatic and subterranean. Other naked mammals are totally subterranean (naked mole rat[?]), swim (whale, dolphin, walrus and manatee), wallow (hippopotamus, pig and tapir) or seek mud and water regularly (rhinoceros and elephant).

Bipedalism: Humans are the only surviving bipedal mammal. Although it gives us the ability to use tools whilst walking or running, it directly causes the following problems: back problems, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, hernias and problems with childbirth. Since evolution works in small steps, it is hard to see how bipedalism could have evolved on the savanna: the mass of the torso[?] makes bipedalism inherently unstable. Water, however, supports the body.

Breathing: With the exception of humans, land mammals have no conscious control over their breathing. The voluntary control humans have over their respiratory system is similar to that of aquatic mammals which inhale as much air as they need for a dive, then return to the surface for air.

Fat: Humans have ten times as much fat in our bodies as is normal in an animal of our size. We are by far the fattest primates. Mammals which hibernate have seasonal fat: aquatic mammals, like humans, retain fat throughout the year.

Tears and excessive sweating are considered further evidence to support the theory. Supporters of the theory also mention the webbing between the human thumb and forefinger, which has no apparent value on land.

One difficulty in evaluating this theory is that the places it suggests fossils might be found are mostly below sea level at the present epoch.

The skepticism with which the aquatic ape hypothesis has been received by most scientists is often cited by those who claim to be victims of a closed minded scientific elite (for example creationists and feminists).

External links:

• The Aquatic Ape: Fact or Fiction, Proceedings from the Valkenburg Conference. Souvenir Press, 1991 http://www.riverapes.com/AAH/FoF/FactOrFiction.htm
• Aquatic Man and African Eve - A Search for the Origins and Evolution of Humankind in Africa, Denis Montgomery, published online, [1] (http://homepages.tesco.net/~sondela/AquaticMan.html)
• Aquatic Ape Theory: Sink or Swim?, A skeptical evaluation by Jim Moore http://aquaticape.topcities.com/index.html

Literature:

• The Aquatic Ape, Elaine Morgan, 1982, Stein & Day Pub, ISBN 0-285-62509-8
• The Scars of Evolution, Elaine Morgan, 1990, Souvenir Press, ISBN 0-285-62996-4