Exam review, Kenyanthropus platyops

Question 1

when did Kenyanthropus platyops live

Answer 1

3.5-3.2 mya

Question 2

how is Kenyanthropus platyops similar to paranthropines and australopithecines

Answer 2

Its cranial morphology combines traits of paranthropines and australopithecines

Question 3

what do scientists disagree with about Kenyanthropus platyops

Answer 3

Scientists disagree over whether Keynathropus is a flat-faced species of hominin or just a distorted example of Australopithecus afarensis

Question 4

who left the Laetoli footprints

Answer 4

It’s been proposed that given the timing of Kenyanthropus in East Africa, it – and not Au. afarensis – may be responsible for the Laetoli footprints, which date to around 3.7 mya. The evidence for this is entire circumstantial

Question 5

what likely caused Paranthropines

Answer 5

Overspecialisation and reliance on hard-object feeding

Increasing climatic fluctuations in the Pliocene meant Paranthropines’ food sources became unpredictable