Exam 11: Early Hominins

Most hominin fossil finds have come from the Afar Triangle in east Africa or southern Africa. What conditions led to the preservation of so many fossils in these two areas? How have these conditions led to differences in dating techniques and information known about the hominins represented by these fossils?

The wear patterns on animal bones associated with A. robustus suggest they were used __________.

The tooth enamel of apes is __________ compared to that of hominins.

The hominin that is the direct ancestor of the genus Homo is __________.

Martin Pickford and Brigitte Senut have claimed Orrorin tugensis to be a biped based __________.

What are the physical characteristics of robust australopithecines? What do these characteristics reveal about the ecology of robust australopithecines? Be sure to include information on diet and tool use.

Which of the following is NOT true of the genus Australopithecus?

Orrorin tugenensis dates to approximately __________ and was discovered in __________.

Discuss tool use among early hominins. What types of tools may have been used? When do stone tools appear and what might this mean? How might tool use have impacted hominin intelligence?

Which of the following is NOT a feature of a hominin classification system?

The only two species of early hominin known from western Africa are __________.

Australopithecus anamensis is more ape-like than other australopithecines because of __________.

The __________ is a space in the tooth row that allows the canine of the lower jaw to slide past the third premolar in apes and early hominins.

The oldest known stone tools come from Bouri and Gona, Ethiopia and date to about __________.

Although accomplished as a biped, certain feature such as curved phalanges in the toes and fingers suggest that Australopithecus afarensis __________.

Give two possible hominin phylogenies. Discuss the candidates for ancestor of the genus Homo. Which australopithecine species currently seems to be the best candidate?

Australopithecus robustus represents robust australopithecines in __________.

With respect to cranial capacity and dentition Australopithecus afarensis may be considered __________.

Compare and contrast the dentition of hominoids and humans. In what ways does the dentition of early hominins show the transition between the two?

The early hominin that has so far been best represented by fossil discoveries is __________.