Early Hominins - Exam 3

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53 Terms

1
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What are the four genera of early hominins discussed in lecture?

Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus kadabba, Ardipithecus ramidus

2
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What is the major geographic regions where early hominins were found?

East African Rift Valley

3
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What are key evolutionary novelties of humans?

Bipedalism, changes in dentition, material culture, increased brain size, long development and lifespan

4
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What is the significance of the foramen magnum position in hominins?

A forward position indicates bipedal locomotion

5
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Where was Sahelanthropus techadensis discovered?

Chad

6
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How old is Sahelanthropus techadensis?

7-6 million years

7
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What are key traits of Sahelanthropus techadensis?

Vertical face, small canines, no C-P3 honing complex, forward foramen magnum, small brain

8
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Where was Orrorin tugenesis found?

Kenya

9
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How old is Orrorin tugenesis?

6 million years

10
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What does the femur of Orrorin suggest?

It indicates possible bipedalism

11
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What are some primitive traits of Orrorin?

Ape-like large canines

12
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What is the age for Ardipithecus kadabba?

5.8-5.2 million years

13
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What is the age for Ardipithecus ramidus?

4.4 million years

14
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What environmental context is Ar. ramidus reconstructed in?

More closed, wooded habitats

15
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What are important physical traits of Ar. ramidus indicating bipedalism?

Forward foramen magnum, short broad ilium in pelvis

16
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What primitive traits did Ar. ramidus retain?

Small brain, prognathism, divergent big toe

17
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What is the significance of Ar. ramidus in hominin evolution?

It shows a mix of primitive and derived traits; may be an early hominin or a side branch

18
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What is Lovejoy’s model about?

A model for the origins of bipedality based on Ar. ramidus

19
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What are trends seen in Australopiths?

Reduced canines, large cheek teeth, adaptations for bipedalism, small brain, small body with sexual dimorphism

20
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What is the difference between Australopithecus and Paranthropus?

gracile

21
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What is the difference between Australopithecus and Paranthropus?

Robust with chewing adaptations and larger postcanine teeth

22
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Two main types of australopiths

Australopithecus (gracile) and Paranthropus (robust)

23
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What traits are common to all australopiths?

Bipedalism, small brain, reduced canines, large cheek teeth, thick enamel

24
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Who discovered the first Australopithecus fossil?

Raymond Dart

25
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What was the Piltdown Hoax?

A fake fossil that delayed acceptance of Australopithecus as a human ancestor

26
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Where were Australopithecus fossils mostly found?

Eastern and southern Africa

27
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How old is Australopithecus anamensis?

4.2-3.9 million years

28
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Where was Australopithecus found?

Kenya and Ethiopia

29
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What evidence of bipedalism exists for A. anamensis?

Tibia with enlarged top end

30
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What species is “Lucy“?

Australopithecus afarensis

31
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Where was A. afarensis found?

East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia

32
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What is the age range of A. afarensis?

3.9-2.9 million years

33
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What are some key traits of A. afarensis teeth?

Reduced canines, bicuspid premolars, thick enamel

34
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What does thick enamel in A. afarensis suggest?

Diet included nuts, grains, or hard fruits

35
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What are bipedal features in A. afarensis?

Pelvis, valgus knee, forward foramen magnum, arches, heel

36
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What are the Laetoli footprints from?

Tanzania

37
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What species made the Laetoli footprints?

A. afarensis

38
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What are some arboreal traits of A. afarensis?

Mobile shoulder, long arms, curved hand bones

39
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What kind of environments did A. afarensis live in?

From closed woodlands to dry grasslands

40
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How does Australopithecus africanus compare to A. afarensis?

Less prognathism, rounder braincase, slightly bigger brain

41
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Where was A. africanus found?

South Africa

42
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How old is A. africanus?

3.5-2 million years

43
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What is the Taung Child?

Famous juvenile A. africanus fossil with brain endocast

44
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What is dating South African sites difficult?

No volcanic ash for radiometric dating

45
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What cranial feature is more developed in A. africanus males?

Robust jaw, big cheek teeth, nasal pillars

46
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What is Australopithecus garhi known for?

Possible tool use, 2.5 million years, East Africa

47
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What species shows a mix of Australopith and Homo traits?

Australopithecus sediba

48
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How old is Australopithecus sediba?

2 million years

49
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Where was Australopithecus found?

South Africa

50
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What environmental shift happened around 2.6 million years ago?

Cooling and spread of grasslands

51
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What are the evolutionary trends seen after 2.5 million years ago?

Bigger brains, more tools, less prognathism, smaller teeth

52
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What is Kenyanthropus platyops?

3.5 million years ago hominin with flat face and small molars

53
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What is Kenyanthropus platyops thought to possibly be?

A. afarensis