Exam review, hominid phylogeny

Question 1

how do the australopithecines relate to the genus Homo

Answer 1

direct ancestry

Question 2

where outside of africa have australopithecine fossils been found

Answer 2

no australopithecine fossils have been found outside of Africa

Question 3

what is the lumper/splitter debate

Answer 3

Informal terms that refer to opposing philosophies in any discipline that categorizes individuals

Question 4

what is the splitter perspective

Answer 4

Emphasizes differences between individuals, resulting in a greater number of taxonomically defined species.
Should result in a phylogenetic tree that is more bushy, i.e. more branches

Question 5

what is the Lumper Perspective:

Answer 5

Emphasizes similarities between individuals, resulting in fewer number of taxonomically defined species.
Should result in a phylogenetic tree that is thinner, i.e. has fewer branches

Question 6

know example of lumper splitter debate outside of Australopithecines

Answer 6

research it