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Australopithecus afarensis, known as a gracile Australopithecine, was present in East Africa between 4 – 2.9 mya. In general the Australopithecines present a more ape-like morphology than later Homo. What morphological features of the skull, paying particular attention to the face and teeth, can you discern that reflect our ape ancestry? |
| | A) | large protruding face (facial prognathism), projecting canines, small brain |
| | B) | small incisors, rounded frontal |
| | C) | rounded frontal, projecting brow ridge, small brain |
| | D) | large projecting canines, small cheek teeth |
| | E) | small brain, reduced facial prognathism, post orbital constriction |
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| 2.
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Perhaps the most well known of Australopithecine fossils is the skeleton of Lucy (AL 288-1). Lucy is a female specimen of A. afarensis, and was approximately 3’3” tall and weighed around 60 lbs. What aspects of the postcranial skeleton of Lucy (AL 288-1) display an ape-like morphology? |
| | A) | short, stocky limbs; wide, flaring pelvis |
| | B) | curved phalanges, long legs, divergent big toe |
| | C) | relatively long arms, barrel shaped rib cage, curved phalanges |
| | D) | cone shaped rib cage; curved phalanges; relatively long arms |
| | E) | wide, flaring pelvis; curved phalanges; cone shaped rib cage |
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| 3.
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What is the significance of the ape-like morphology of the postcranial skeleton? |
| | A) | indicates Lucy is closer related to chimpanzees than to Homo |
| | B) | indicates that A. afarensis was fully terrestrial |
| | C) | suggests Lucy was a knuckle walker |
| | D) | indicates that A. afarensis was an evolutionary dead end |
| | E) | indicates that A. afarensis still retained the ability to climb trees |
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| 4.
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At the site of Laetoli, Tanzania, fossilized footprints were discovered that were dated to 3.8 mya and associated with A. afarensis. What is the significance of this discovery? |
| | A) | demonstrated that they had a divergent big toe |
| | B) | indicated monogomous family groups |
| | C) | indicated that they were tracking game animals |
| | D) | demonstrated that they had a well-developed bipedal gait |
| | E) | demonstrated that they travelled in large groups |
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| 5.
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Sts 5, dubbed Mrs. Ples, was discovered at Sterkfontein, South Africa by John Robinson and Robert Broom. A. africanus was present between 3 – 2.5 mya and is a potential descendant of A. afarensis. What features of the face differentiate A. africanus from the earlier A. afarensis? |
| | A) | shorter face with less facial prognathism |
| | B) | longer face with increased facial prognathism |
| | C) | large projecting brow ridges |
| | D) | dish shaped face |
| | E) | presence of post-orbital constriction |
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| 6.
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What features of the dentition of A. africanus differentiates this species from A. afarensis? |
| | A) | increased prognathism, larger anterior dentition |
| | B) | larger anterior dentition, decreased prognathism |
| | C) | presence of a diastema, increased canines |
| | D) | reduced anterior dentition, decreased prognathism |
| | E) | decrease prognathism, presence of a diastema |
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| 7.
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Can you see any differences in the zygomatic bone between the two Australopithecines? |
| | A) | reduced in A, africanus |
| | B) | long and strongly built in A. afarensis |
| | C) | short but strongly built in A. africanus |
| | D) | long and strongly built in A. africanus |
| | E) | short and strongly built in A. afarensis |
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| 8.
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The fact that A. africanus’s dentition was less specialized implies that there diet was: |
| | A) | more carnivorous |
| | B) | more vegetarian |
| | C) | based on fruit |
| | D) | more omnivorous |
| | E) | highly marine based |
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| 9.
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What morphological features indicate the similarity of A. africanus to early Homo? |
| | A) | increased cranial capacity |
| | B) | rounded basicrania |
| | C) | greater basicranial flexion |
| | D) | decreased anterior dentition |
| | E) | a, c and d |
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