The Early Hominids Flashcards
When did the first evidence of Bipedality occur?
No more than 6 mya; bipedal animals cannot have a curved spine (like a “C”)
What is evidence for Bipedality?
Where the foramen magnum is positioned and the shape of the spine; head needs to be balanced on the spine. The shape of the pelvis.
Why is Bipedalism Advantageous?
Allows for use of hands, more energy efficient, more effective scavenging, greater endurance and sight.
What was the idea for why bipedalism occurred?
It used to be that bipedalism occurred with the environmental switch to grasslands, but that is untrue as evidence suggests that primates were still living in wooded land.
What was the Piltdown Hoax?
Early 1900s evidence of human evolution, a large fossil cranium that was close to modern human size but with ape-like mandible. In the 1950s found that the Piltdown cranium had been altered.
What is the Sahelanthroupus tchadensis?
A cranium found in Northern Chad, dated to 6-7 mya, that had a braincase like an ape but facial features and teeth like a human. Suggestions of bipedalism. Full cranium found.
What is the Ardipithecus ramidus?
Pliocene - 4.4 mya; found in Ethiopia. Ape-like foot but bipedal locomotion, small canines, small brain, lived in woodland, blend of traits. Foot indicates grasping effect.
What is the Australopithecus africanus?
[1924, Raymond Dart] - Foramen magnum implies bipedalism; Southern Ape of Africa.
Taung child, death age around 3 - large skull, 2-3mya. Small canine, large molars/premolars.
What is the Australopithecus anamensis?
Discovered by M. Leakey; 4.0-4.2 mya. Small canines, large molars. Tibia implies bipedalism. No full cranium found.
What is the Australopithecus afarensis?
3.2 mya; Afar Depression of Ethiopia.
Lucy - 3.2 mya, 40% of skeleton, 3.5 ft tall, female adult, bipedal. Large teeth.
“The First Family” - 13 individuals.
Definite evidence of being bipedalism; utilized trees.
Laetolli footprints; 3.6 mya.
Was was the “First Family”?
13 individuals found in Ethiopia; Australopithecus afarensis.
What is the Australopithecus sediba?
Most recently found Australopithecus; 2 mya [South Africa], environmental evidence of forest and grassland; human-like hand and pelvis. Mosaic foot. Limb ratio has changed.
What are the Robust Australopithecines known for?
The Sagittal Crest.
Who are the first of the Robust Australopithecines?
Australopithecus aethiopicus, 2.5 mya.
Who are the Australopithecus aethiopicus?
From Ethiopia and Kenya, 2.5 mya; woodland and grassland environment. Sagittal crest and large molars.
