Ch 10 Early Hominin Origins and Evolution: The Roots of Humanity

Match each anatomical feature of Australopithecus sediba to the genus that usually shows the most similarity to that feature.

Homo noncurved phalanges broad pelvis Australopithecus small brain long arms

Olduvai Gorge, located in the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania, is one of the most important sites for human evolutionary discoveries and is often referred to as the "cradle of humankind." Identify the statements that describe the site of Olduvai Gorge.

Olduvai Gorge contains layers of exposed geologic strata. Australopithecus boisei and Oldowan tools were found at Olduvai Gorge.

Several -, especially the well-represented Australopithecus afarensis, had lower limb morphology indicating very - locomotion.

Several australopithecines, especially the well-represented Australopithecus afarensis, had lower limb morphology indicating very humanlike locomotion.

While often only one or two paleoanthropologists are associated with a particular fossil discovery, in reality they work with large teams of people. Identify the correct statements about the teams that uncover and analyze fossils.

Team members are often native to the country in which the fossils are found. The famous anthropologists whose names are associated with the discoveries are not native to the country in which the fossils are found.

The scientist - concluded that because of the remarkable anatomical similarity between humans and various species of -, the continent of Africa was hominins' likely place of origin.

The scientist Charles Darwin concluded that because of the remarkable anatomical similarity between humans and various species of African apes, the continent of Africa was hominins' likely place of origin.

Many features distinguish modern humans from the nonhuman apes. However, only two of these features define hominins. Why?

These two traits arose in the common ancestor of all hominins, but are not found in the nonhominin apes. Proper taxonomic groups are always defined by the traits that are shared among members of the group but not found in closely related species. The evolution of hominins involved several different changes that happened at different times. Only two of these features evolved early enough to apply to all the hominins.

Choose the correct statement about nonhoning chewing and bipedalism.

They preceded speech and the use of stone tools by several million years

For which reason is Australopithecus afarensis notable?

This species lived in a great diversity of habitats

Match the physical features on the left to the type of locomotion

biped valgus knee shortened pelvis quadruped elongated pelvis straight knee

Which of the following are important features of the pre-australopithecine Sahelanthropus tchadensis?

dates to 7-6 mya one of few hominin fossils found in Central Africa prominent brow ridges

Which dental traits characterize the hyper-robust australopithecines?

large molars large lower jaw

Differentiate the characteristics of hominin (including human) canines from those of nonhuman, ape canines.

nonhuman ape large pointed and projecting upper canines wear on the back of the canine diastema hominin wear on the tip of the canines

Which of the following statements best characterize the patchy forest hypothesis?

-Bipedalism is more efficient for medium- and longer-distance travel than is quadrupedalism. -Some forests became patchy, requiring greater distances to be travelled between food sources.

Which of the following are true according to Lovejoy's provisioning hypothesis?

-If males provision the females who raise their young, then they increase their viable mating opportunities. -Female devotion to one single offspring at a time negatively affects male reproductive success. -With the freeing of the hands, males could contribute to parental investment in their young.

Which of these characteristics are associated with Australopithecus afarensis? Indicate the correct characteristics by dragging the phrases to the appropriate box.

-nondivergent big toe -diverse diet indicated by diverse tooth wear

Australopithecus platyops

3.5 MYA in age A lesser-known hominin from about the same time as Au. afarensis Discovered by Meave Leakey and her colleagues at Lomekwi, on the western side of Kenya's Lake Turkana Habitat was mainly woodlands Face was unusually flat

Australopithecus robustus was a - australopithecine found in -.

Australopithecus robustus was a robust australopithecine found in Swartkrans, South Africa.

Which of the following facts falsify Charles Darwin's hunting hypothesis?

Bipedalism arose early in hominin evolution, and large brains emerged millions of years later. Bipedalism arose early in hominin evolution, while intensive use of chipped stone tools appeared much later.

Using the graphic and the information provided below, identify this hominin by choosing the correct answer. May have descended from Au. afarensis Large teeth and large face Prominent sagittal crest South African Found at Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Drimolen

Austra. robustus

Match the features to the appropriate species.

Australopithecus afarensis: -The short-statured individual, "Lucy," is a member of this species. -associated with an extensive fossilized footprint track in Laetoli Australopithecus anamensis -most similar to pre-australopithecines -found near Lake Turkana

Choose the factual statements about the site of Bouri.

Australopithecus garhi was found here. Only indirect evidence of stone tool use in the form of cut marks and smashed bones has been found here. Bouri is located in the Middle Awash, Ethiopia.

Which of the following statements about Australopithecus platyops is true? Drag the phrases to the appropriate box

Australopithecus platyops is associated with a woodland habitat -Has a relatively flat face -One of the most poorly represented hominins

You are presented with a fossil that was just excavated. This fossil skull has a large face, large molars, and a prominent sagittal crest, suggesting it is -.

Australopithecus robustus Australopithecus robustus was a robust hominin that had a specialized diet. This dietary adaptation is reflected in its massive chewing complex, including large molars and a large sagittal crest.

Which of these features are associated with bipedalism as seen in humans?

s-shaped curve of spine short ilium

Which of the following limb features are associated with bipedalism as seen in humans?

valgus knee nonopposable big toe length of the leg

You are an anthropologist who has studied early hominin bones and concluded that there is a high degree of sexual dimorphism in body size in those species. What are the implications of your argument?

your argument falsifies owen lovejoy's provisioning hypothesis because his hypothesis requires a decrease in sexual dimorphism While current research suggests that early hominins may have been less sexually dimorphic than living nonhuman apes, your findings would falsify Lovejoy's hypothesis.