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Anthro Final > Intro to Paleoanthropology/Australopithecines > Flashcards

Intro to Paleoanthropology/Australopithecines Flashcards

1
Q

What is paleoanthropology?

A

The study of fossils of early primates and their relatives to understand where humans came from.

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2
Q

What are the physical features of a primate’s hind and fore limbs? (2)

A

Made for flexibility and mobility.

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3
Q

What are the physical features of a primate’s clavicle?

A

Provides anchor points for ligaments.

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4
Q

What are the physical features of a primate’s teeth? (2)

A

Teeth are made for a flexible, omnivorous diet. The teeth show what they ate.

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5
Q

What are the physical features of a primate’s hands? (4)

A

Flexible, with 5 digits per hand. Opposable thumbs, broad/flat nails (instead of claws)

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6
Q

What does prehensile mean in relation to primate’s hands?

A

Grasping

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7
Q

What are the result of dermal ridges on a primate’s hands?

A

Provides fingerprints

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8
Q

What are the physical features of a primate’s eyes?

A

Forward facing eyes with stereoscopic vision.

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9
Q

What are brain traits associated with primates? (2)

A

Larger area dedicated to vision, large brain is sized relative to body size.

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10
Q

What is bipedalism?

A

Walking on two feet.

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11
Q

What are the pros of bipedalism? (4)

A

See over tall grass for food/safety, keep hands free for carrying things (baby, food, etc), more efficient long-distance travel, regulate body temperature. (less sun/more wind)

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12
Q

What are the cons of bipedalism? (4)

A

Always “falling” (always on one leg), getting oxygen to brain, stress on joints of lower body, challenges of child birth.

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13
Q

What anatomical changes occur with bipedalism? (6)

A

Foramen magnum, spine curvature, arm to leg ratio, pelvis, angle of knees, feet.

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14
Q

What anatomical changes occur with bipedalism concerning the foramen magnum?

A

(big hole in skull) In humans, bottom of skull. In animals like horses, dogs, etc, back of skull

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15
Q

What anatomical changes occur with bipedalism concerning the curvature of the spine?

A

(subtle curve in spine in lower back) Humans, curve is like a spring. Non-bipedals, none seen.

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16
Q

What anatomical changes occur with bipedalism concerning the arm to leg ratio?

A

Humans, legs are shorter than arms. Non-bipedals, sizes are comparable.

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17
Q

What anatomical changes occur with bipedalism concerning the pelvis?

A

Humans, short/broad. Apes, tall/slender

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18
Q

What anatomical changes occur with bipedalism concerning the angle of the knees and feet/hands? (3)

A

The angle of the knees change. Hands are similar, but Humans do not have a separate curve that is not relative to the joints. Toe difference is obvious, as humans do not have any toes out of line.

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19
Q

Who are the Australopithecines?

A

(“Southern Ape Man”)

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20
Q

When/where were the Australopithecines found?

A

1-4 MYA in Africa

21
Q

Why are the Australopithecines important? (2)

A

First evidence (fossil) of bipedalism, retention of evidence of climbing.

22
Q

Name 4 features of Gracile Australopithecines.

A

Lighter build (thinner, more delicate) More petite Smaller teeth Lighter facial/dental musculature

23
Q

What are the two species of Gracile Australopithecines?

A

Australopithecus Afarensis and Australopithecus Africanus

24
Q

When/where were the Australopithecus Afarensis found?

A

3-4 MYA in East Africa

25
Q

What are the key physical features of the brain of Australopithecus Afarensis?

A

Brain is small (440cc), but still large in relation to body size- size of a softball.

26
Q

What are the key physical features of the teeth of Australopithecus Afarensis?

A

Thick enamel on molars, more ape-like canines. (hard diet)

27
Q

What are the key physical features of the skull of Australopithecus Afarensis?

A

Face projects prognanthic, base of skull flares for attachment of neck muscles.

28
Q

What are the key physical features of the arms/legs and the feet/hands of Australopithecus Afarensis?

A

Arms and legs are about the same length, finger and toe bones curved. Feet have an arch and legs angle inward.

29
Q

What are the key physical features of the pelvis of Australopithecus Afarensis?

A

Pelvis and leg bones show bipedal adaptation, pelvis is wide and flaring but also cup-like.

30
Q

What are the two main fossil discoveries of the Australopithecus Afarensis?

A

“Lucy” (large canines, chimp-like skull) “First Family” (13 individuals, kids and adults)

31
Q

When/where were the Australopithecus Africanus found?

A

2-3 MYA in South Africa

32
Q

What are the key physical features of the Australopithecus Africanus?

A

Moderate brow ridge, 3.5-4.5 feet tall, sexually dimorphic.

33
Q

How big was the brain of the Australopithecus Africanus?

A

428-485cc

34
Q

Who discovered the Australopithecus Africanus?

A

Raymond Dart

35
Q

What was the first Australopithecus Africanus fossil found, and how old was it?

A

Toung child, about 3 years old from 2-3 MYA.

36
Q

How can you tell the Australopithecus Afarensis from the Australopithecus Africanus?

A

Cheek bones: 90 degree- Afarensis sloping- Africanus (Brow- Africanus)

37
Q

Where were the Robust Australopithecus first found?

A

Cave sites in South Africa.

38
Q

What are the two different kinds of Robust Aussies?

A

Australopithecus Boisei and Australopithecus Robustus

39
Q

When/where were Aussie Boisei found?

A

1-2.3 MYA in East Africa

40
Q

What species is known as the “Nutcracker Man”?

A

Australopithecus Boisei

41
Q

Who found the Boisei first? Where?

A

Found by the Leaky’s in Olduvai Gorge

42
Q

When/where were Aussie Robustus found?

A

1-2.3 MYA in South Africa

43
Q

What did the Australopithecus Boisei’s diet consist of?

A

Coarse nuts, sees, and roots

44
Q

Were robust forms thought to be directly related to modern humans?

A

No

45
Q

What kind of dating technique was used for the Australopithecus Boisei?

A

K-Ar dating

46
Q

What species as also referred to as a different genus, Paranthropus

A

Robust Australopithecines

47
Q

What sets Robust Aussies apart from Gracile Aussies?

A

Robust have bigger teeth, in addition to a sagital crest in some.

48
Q

Why are there so many different kinds of Australopithecines?

A

They had to adapt to different diets and environments (from leaves to seeds)

49
Q

Which species of Australopithecines featured massive faces/jaws and a strong chewing apparatus?

A

Robust Aussies

Anthro Final (4 decks)

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