Anthro homework
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fossil_bone_lab_australopithsanswers-3.docPAGE
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Intro. Phys. Anth. Name_____________________
Virtual Fossil Lab: Human Evolution ANSWER SHEET
Instructions: Be sure your name is on your answer sheet before you hand it in. ____________________________________________________________
1. Bipeds differ from quadrupeds in the structure of the vertebral column and pelvis. Compare the skeleton of the quadruped (cat) to the biped (human skeleton).
A. Where is the position of the foramen magnum in the quadruped?
B. In the biped?
2. Great apes
Compare the skulls of the gorilla, orangutan and chimpanzee. Describe how the three differ in the following features. Write your description using everyday vocabulary, such as rounded, oval, square, vertical, sloping, etc. Read through your book to get an idea of how bones are described. If a question is a yes/no question, just write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the box.
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Gorilla |
Orangutan |
Chimpanzee |
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shape of cranial vault
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Is there a nuchal crest? |
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Is there a sagittal crest? |
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canine tooth size, relative to the jaw bone (mandible or maxilla)
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3. Comparisons of ape, australopithecine and human traits
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Feature |
Chimpanzee
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A. afarensis |
H. sapiens |
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Cranial vault size and shape
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frontal region (is forehead high or low, vertical or sloping? Other?)
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Foramen magnum position – very close to the back of the skull, or closer to the front (the teeth)?
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Degree of prognathism (projecting, snout-like appearance of lower face) |
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Dental arch shape (parallel tooth row or parabolic/non-parallel tooth row). Think carefully about this! |
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Canine tooth size (either use an online tool, if provided, or compare to other teeth and use descriptions such as much higher than other teeth, even with molars, etc.)
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Is a diastema (gap for the over-lapping canine teeth) present?
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4. The robust australopithecines (some websites term these Paranthropus)
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Feature |
Australopithecus boisei |
Australopithecus africanus |
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Is a sagittal crest (on top of skull) present? |
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Describe the facial width and size of cheekbones (narrow, wide, flared, compact or ??)
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What is the molar tooth size, compared to other teeth?
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