title: Aquatic ape theory, speech origins, and brain differences with apes and monkeys.
abstract: Humans and apes show clear differences in brain anatomy. In the human cerebral cortex, for instance, the areas that control the fine movements of the hand, the areas that control the breathing and speech musculature, and the association areas have strongly expanded. It will be argued that these differences are best explained by the aquatic ape theory of human evolution (AAT) and originated in our semi-aquatic past, notably in the adaptations necessary for diving and shellfish collection at sea coasts.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verhaegen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D000882:Haplorhini / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009929:Organ Size; D013045:Species Specificity; D013060:Speech