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What are the four genera of early hominins discussed in lecture?
Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus kadabba, Ardipithecus ramidus
What is the major geographic regions where early hominins were found?
East African Rift Valley
What are key evolutionary novelties of humans?
Bipedalism, changes in dentition, material culture, increased brain size, long development and lifespan
What is the significance of the foramen magnum position in hominins?
A forward position indicates bipedal locomotion
Where was Sahelanthropus techadensis discovered?
Chad
How old is Sahelanthropus techadensis?
7-6 million years
What are key traits of Sahelanthropus techadensis?
Vertical face, small canines, no C-P3 honing complex, forward foramen magnum, small brain
Where was Orrorin tugenesis found?
Kenya
How old is Orrorin tugenesis?
6 million years
What does the femur of Orrorin suggest?
It indicates possible bipedalism
What are some primitive traits of Orrorin?
Ape-like large canines
What is the age for Ardipithecus kadabba?
5.8-5.2 million years
What is the age for Ardipithecus ramidus?
4.4 million years
What environmental context is Ar. ramidus reconstructed in?
More closed, wooded habitats
What are important physical traits of Ar. ramidus indicating bipedalism?
Forward foramen magnum, short broad ilium in pelvis
What primitive traits did Ar. ramidus retain?
Small brain, prognathism, divergent big toe
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
What is Lovejoy’s model about?
A model for the origins of bipedality based on Ar. ramidus
What are trends seen in Australopiths?
Reduced canines, large cheek teeth, adaptations for bipedalism, small brain, small body with sexual dimorphism
What is the difference between Australopithecus and Paranthropus?
gracile
What is the difference between Australopithecus and Paranthropus?
Robust with chewing adaptations and larger postcanine teeth
Two main types of australopiths
Australopithecus (gracile) and Paranthropus (robust)
What traits are common to all australopiths?
Bipedalism, small brain, reduced canines, large cheek teeth, thick enamel
Who discovered the first Australopithecus fossil?
Raymond Dart
What was the Piltdown Hoax?
A fake fossil that delayed acceptance of Australopithecus as a human ancestor
Where were Australopithecus fossils mostly found?
Eastern and southern Africa
How old is Australopithecus anamensis?
4.2-3.9 million years
Where was Australopithecus found?
Kenya and Ethiopia
What evidence of bipedalism exists for A. anamensis?
Tibia with enlarged top end
What species is “Lucy“?
Australopithecus afarensis
Where was A. afarensis found?
East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia
What is the age range of A. afarensis?
3.9-2.9 million years
What are some key traits of A. afarensis teeth?
Reduced canines, bicuspid premolars, thick enamel
What does thick enamel in A. afarensis suggest?
Diet included nuts, grains, or hard fruits
What are bipedal features in A. afarensis?
Pelvis, valgus knee, forward foramen magnum, arches, heel
What are the Laetoli footprints from?
Tanzania
What species made the Laetoli footprints?
A. afarensis
What are some arboreal traits of A. afarensis?
Mobile shoulder, long arms, curved hand bones
What kind of environments did A. afarensis live in?
From closed woodlands to dry grasslands
How does Australopithecus africanus compare to A. afarensis?
Less prognathism, rounder braincase, slightly bigger brain
Where was A. africanus found?
South Africa
How old is A. africanus?
3.5-2 million years
What is the Taung Child?
Famous juvenile A. africanus fossil with brain endocast
What is dating South African sites difficult?
No volcanic ash for radiometric dating
What cranial feature is more developed in A. africanus males?
Robust jaw, big cheek teeth, nasal pillars
What is Australopithecus garhi known for?
Possible tool use, 2.5 million years, East Africa
What species shows a mix of Australopith and Homo traits?
Australopithecus sediba
How old is Australopithecus sediba?
2 million years
Where was Australopithecus found?
South Africa
What environmental shift happened around 2.6 million years ago?
Cooling and spread of grasslands
What are the evolutionary trends seen after 2.5 million years ago?
Bigger brains, more tools, less prognathism, smaller teeth
What is Kenyanthropus platyops?
3.5 million years ago hominin with flat face and small molars
What is Kenyanthropus platyops thought to possibly be?
A. afarensis