Australopithecines (19)

Question 1

what do bones of hand suggest

Answer 1

• Bones of hand suggest thumb shorter and less mobile than modern humans
  o Fingers more heavily built
  o Features indicating that hand was better adapted for the power than precision grip

(habilis= more suited to climbing trees as hands more robust)

Question 2

what are the two variations of australopithecines

Answer 2

gracile

robust

Question 3

define gracile

Answer 3

slender in form; body build of some human ancestors

Question 4

define robust

Answer 4

heavy build

Question 5

what are the areas of difference b/w the two forms of australo

Answer 5

size

skull and bones

Question 6

What are the height and weight differences of two forms

Answer 6

♣ robust 30 cm taller + 40kg more

♣ gracile 120-140cm + 25-53kg

Question 7

What are characteristics of robust skulls

Answer 7

• Large, broad molar teeth that contrasted sharply with small incisors and canines.
• Teeth set in large jaws attached to skull by powerful chewing muscles
• Skull= massive bony crests and buttresses for attachment of these muscles

Question 8

what are characteristics of gracile skull

Answer 8

• Had more teeth in proportion with each other

* Jaw muscles smaller than robust

Question 9

what are examples of gracile and robust

Answer 9

Gracile
- Australopithecus africanus and A. Afarensis

Robust
- (most scientists separate genus called Paranthropus) Parathropus robustus