Early human ancestors were 'aquatic apes': Living in water helped us evolve big brains and walk upright, scientists say

A controversial theory that humans evolved from amphibious apes has won new support.

The aquatic ape theory, whose supporters include David Attenborough, suggests that apes emerged from the water, lost their fur, started to walk upright and then developed big brains.

While it has been treated with scorn by some scientists since it first emerged 50 years ago, it is backed by a committed group of academics, including Sir David.

The group will hold a major London conference next week featuring several speakers who will voice support for the theory.

Peter Rhys Evans is one of the organisers of Human Evolution: Past, Present and Future.

He told the Observer that humans are very different from other apes, as we lack fur, walk upright, have big brains and subcutaneous fat and have a descended larynx - which is common among aquatic animals.[...] Mail Online

Actualización 01-05-13. Gana apoyo la teoría del simio acuático
Una controvertida teoría de que los seres humanos evolucionaron de los simios anfibios ha ganado un nuevo apoyo.

La teoría del simio acuático, cuyos partidarios incluyen David Attenborough, sugiere que los monos salieron del agua, comenzaron a caminar erguidos y desarrollado grandes cerebros.

Si bien se ha tratado con desprecio por algunos científicos desde que surgió hace 50 años, ahora está respaldado.

El grupo llevará a cabo una importante conferencia de Londres la semana que viene con varios oradores que expresarán su apoyo a la teoría.

La teoría del mono acuático dice que nuestros antepasados decidieron vivir en o cerca del agua durante millones de años.

Se ha escrito que los monos bajaron de los árboles para vivir en los arroyos ricos en alimentos, ríos y mares.

Dijo que evolucionaron para andar en posición vertical, ya que trataron de mantener la cabeza fuera del agua y además perdieron el cabello. elimparcial.com/

Actualización 01-05-13. Space Ape Parody Shows Why Aquatic Ape Theory Is All Wet
This past weekend the misguided aquatic ape theory surfaced for air, only to get sunk in the most entertaining way. The theory holds that many traits of humans--including our naked skin , upright posture and large brains--evolved as adaptations to living in an aquatic environment. But fossil and archaeological evidence simply does not support this scenario, so whenever the aquatic ape theory makes the media rounds, scientists grumble. This time, however, they responded with parody...