http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AAT
-Human evolution based on comparative anatomy & physiology
-Waterside diaspora after Homo & Pan split ~5 Ma
-Comparative & fossil information on human & ape evolution

AAT:
-Aquatic Ape Theory of human evolution (original term E.Morgan 1982)
-Aquarboreal Apes Theory of Mio-Pliocene apes (aqua=water, arbor=tree)
-Amphibious Ancestors Theory of Plio-Pleistocene Homo (AAT strict sense)

AAT s.s. is based on human behavior/anatomy/physiology/DNA compared to
chimps & living animals:
Waterside food collection (eg, fruits/(coco)nuts, turtle/bird eggs,
shell/crayfish, water(side)plants, drowned herbivores, stranded whales...)
explains unique Homo traits (not in apes & australopiths) better than forest
or plains dwelling: huge brain, slow-diving skills, breath control, small
mouth & biting muscles, tongue bone descent, projecting nose, poor sense of
smell, handiness/tools, late puberty, alined body, poor climbing, flat feet,
fur loss, fatness, profuse sweating, high needs of
water/sodium/iodine/poly-unsat.FAs(DHA) etc. - features present in different
combinations in littoral & (semi)aquatic animals, but absent in savanna
mammals.

Homo & Pan split ~6-4 Ma. Homo populations spread along lakes/shores/rivers
in savannas & elsewhere, eg, crossed 18 km sea to Flores 0.8 Ma:
tools/fossils 2.5-0.1 Ma are found near Rift valley lakes & even (sea level
fluctuations hindered fossilisation) Indian Ocean & African coasts, often
amid seashells: Mojokerto, Dungo V Baia Farta, Terra Amata, Table Bay,
Eritrea...

M.Westenh