Theme7

Question 1

Where did Darwin determine to be the birthplace of humanity?

Answer 1

Africa

Question 2

What was the Tuang Baby?

Answer 2

Found by Raymond Dart in 1925, essentially a man ape, Australopithecus.

Question 3

East Africa climate at the time of chimp-hominin split

Answer 3

Mosiac habitat (spatial), climate changing (temporal). Savannah and Forest Hypothesis, variability selection hypothesis (generalists better than specialists)

Question 4

SOAAP: Pre homo hominin lineup

Answer 4

The proto hominins, longer than 4.2 million years ago. Included Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus. Undisputed (true) hominins (Australopithecus, paranthropus)

Question 5

Sahelanthropus Tchadensis

Answer 5

Found in Northern Chad, discovered 2001 and 2002. Holotype: Tournai. Existed 7.2-6.8 million years ago, significant because of age and location. Moderate enamel thickness and smaller canines. Brain size around 360cc. Facultative Biped.

Question 6

Orrorin Tugenesis

Answer 6

Found in 2001, 13 fossils. Existed around 6 million years ago, in an open woodland habitat with gallery forest along lake margins. Femur-facultative biped. Arm and hand-good climber, chimp like canines, honing complex.

Question 7

Ardipithecus

Answer 7

Found in Ethiopia, lived in forested habitats. Ardipithecus Kadabba (5.8-5.2 million years ago) and Ardipithecus Ramidus (4.4 million years ago, 110 fossils). Still quite chimplike, opposable toe and pointed canines. Brain size around 350cc.

Question 8

Australopithecines

Answer 8

Up to 10 species, broad distribution (23 localities), debated relationships with homo. East and Southern Africa, around 40-50kg, sexual dimorphism, canine reduction, beginning of encephalization, facultative bipedalism, later show obligate bipedalism, possible stone tools.

Question 9

Australopithecus Anamensis

Answer 9

First one found, 4.2 million years ago, evolved from ardipithecus ramidus, found in Kenya and Ethiopia. Anagenic evolutionary sequence. Reduced canines and increased molar crown height

Question 10

Australopithecus Afarensis

Answer 10

Lucy (40% complete skeleton, found in Hadar, 3.2 million years old, 1.1m tall, small brained 380cc, bipedal, reduced canines). Over 300 total fossils found, some in Ethiopia. Selam (3 year old, Dikikia Hadar, most ancient child fossil).

Question 11

Ancestral Features of A. afarensis

Answer 11

Small cranial capacity (400cc), flaring at base of skull, sub-nasal prognathism, small diastema, curved phalanges for arboreal life, bowl shaped pelvis, femur that slants inwards.

Question 12

What was found in Laeroli Tanzania?

Answer 12

Rare preservation of 24m long tracks. 2-3 bipedal hominins discovered in 1978 with human-like foot structure.

Question 13

Australopithecus Africanus

Answer 13

Southern Africa, found in 3 sites. Tuang baby, 3-2 million years old, found in limestone caves, resembles afarensis.

Question 14

Australopithecus Sediba

Answer 14

Discovered in 2009 in Southern Africa, excavated out of Breckia, 2 million years-time of transition from austro-homo. Study in mosaic evolution, had climbing hands AND fine motor skills, with a unique and peculiar ambling gait. Relatively small molars and premolars.

Question 15

Paranthropus

Answer 15

2 or 3 species, robust australopithecine (megadont), well developed sagittal and nuchal crests, expansive cheekbones, dietary specialist, 2-1 million years old.

Question 16

Paranthropus Boisei

Answer 16

Found in Eastern Africa, megadont hominin with large molars, bipedal, brain size around 510cc.

Question 17

What is Liam’s Paradox?

Answer 17

Skull and tooth wear don’t match up, which shows that paranthropus wasn’t a dietary specialist.