The Origin and Evolution of the Genus Homo

1			KNM-ER 1470 once belonged to the taxon Homo habilis, represented here by the fossils KNM-ER 1813 and OH 24, but is now considered a separate species, Homo rudolfensis. What features of the face and cranium can you identify that distinguish KNM-ER 1470 from the Homo habilis specimens?
			A)	long face that is broad across the orbits; face projects below the nose; increased cranial capacity
			B)	face projects below the nose; strong projecting brow ridge; short face that is narrow across the orbits
			C)	increased cranial capacity; short face that is narrow across the orbits; strong projecting brow ridge
			D)	short face that is narrow across the orbits; increased cranial capacity; face projects below the nose
			E)	face is flattened below the nose; long face that is broad across the orbits; increased cranial capacity
2			What are the differences in the dentition of these two species?
			A)	larger cheek teeth in Homo rudolfensis
			B)	smaller cheek teeth in Homo rudolfensis
			C)	larger cheek teeth in Homo habilis
			D)	large projecting canines in Homo habilis
			E)	large projecting canines in Homo rudolfensis
3			What morphological features do the Homo habilis fossils KNM-ER 1813 and OH 24 share that distinguishes them from Homo rudolfensis?
			A)	long face that is broad across the orbits; face projects below the nose; reduced cranial capacity
			B)	face projects below the nose; strong projecting brow ridge; short face that is narrow across the orbits; reduced cranial capacity
			C)	increased cranial capacity; short face that is narrow across the orbits; strong projecting brow ridge
			D)	short face that is narrow across the orbits; increased cranial capacity; face projects below the nose
			E)	face is flattened below the nose; long face that is broad across the orbits; increased cranial capacity
4			Two major trends in hominin evolution have been the gradual reduction in the size of the dentition along with increasing cranial capacity. Based on these two trends either Homo habilis or Homo rudolfensis could present a possible ancestor to later Homo erectus populations. What features would have to be emphasized for Homo habilis to be considered ancestral to later Homo?
			A)	increased cranial capacity
			B)	facial and dental reduction
			C)	increased facial prognathism
			D)	increased size of the cheek teeth
			E)	projecting brow ridges
5			What features would have to be emphasized for Homo rudolfensis to be considered ancestral to later Homo?
			A)	increased cranial capacity
			B)	facial and dental reduction
			C)	increased facial prognathism
			D)	increased size of the cheek teeth
			E)	projecting brow ridges

Homo ergaster (Frontal View) BH_011_001 (32.0K)

Homo ergaster (Side View) BH_011_008 (37.0K)

6			Discovered at Koobi Fora, Kenya and dated to 1.78 mya, KNM-ER 3733 is one of the very first members of the species Homo erectus (some authors refer to this specimen as Homo ergaster). What morphological features of the cranium can you see that distinguish Homo erectus from other fossil species, particularly early Homo?
			A)	reduced brow ridges, postorbital constriction, increased cranial capacity
			B)	low receding frontal; supraorbital sulcus; highly angled occipital
			C)	pronounced occipital torus; large projecting brow ridges; increased cranial capacity
			D)	large flaring zygomatics; high frontal; rounded occipital
			E)	low receding frontal; supraorbital sulcus; highly angled occipital AND pronounced occipital torus; large projecting brow ridges; increased cranial capacity

Homo erectus (Frontal View) BH_005_001 (33.0K)	Homo erectus (Side View) BH_005_009 (37.0K)
Homo ergaster (Frontal View) BH_012_037 (38.0K)	Homo ergaster (Side View) BH_012_008 (41.0K)
Homo ergaster (Frontal View) BH_011_001 (32.0K)	Homo ergaster (Side View) BH_011_008 (37.0K)

7			Homo erectus is identified by a suite of morphological characters, what features in the cranium can you discern from this fossil specimen that you could not see in the image of KNM-ER 3733?
			A)	a wide a short cranium; pronounced post orbital constriction; increased cranial capacity
			B)	presence of a sagital keel; the skull is narrow at the base and wide at the apex; increased cranial capacity
			C)	the skull is narrow at the base and wide at the apex; pronounced post orbital constriction; a wide short cranium
			D)	long and low vaulted cranium; the greatest width at the base; presence of a sagital keel
			E)	the greatest width is at the base; long and low vaulted cranium; large projecting brow ridges
8			Looking at the face and mandible of Peking Man and KNM-ER 3733 what differences can you see?
			A)	a long and narrow face; presence of a chin
			B)	presence of a chin; alveolar prognathism
			C)	alveolar prognathism; a short and wide face
			D)	a short and wide face; narrow orbits
			E)	narrow orbits; alveolar prognathism

Homo ergaster (Turkana Boy) Frontal View SC 012 Ergaster (184.0K)

Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy) Frontal View SC 036 Lucy (169.0K)

9			Discovered at Nariokotome (West Turkana), Kenya, KNM-WT 15000 is more commonly known as the Nariokotome Boy. The Nariokotome skeleton dates to around 1.5 mya. When you compare the skeleton of KNM-WT 15000 to that of Lucy what major differences in skeletal structure are apparent, pay particular attention to the pelvic region and the chest?
			A)	KNM-WT 15000 has a broad hip region and a barrel shaped chest
			B)	Lucy has a narrow pelvis and cone shaped rib cage
			C)	Lucy has a broad pelvis and a barrel shaped chest
			D)	KNM-WT 15000 has a narrow hip region and a cone shaped chest
			E)	KNM-WT 15000 has a narrow hip region and a barrel shaped chest
10			What are the implications of a narrower pelvis on hominin development?
			A)	reduces amount of brain growth prior to birth
			B)	chronic hip problems
			C)	reduced infant dependency
			D)	restricted birth canal
			E)	reduces amount of brain growth prior to birth AND restricted birth canal
11			An examination of human variability demonstrates that different body types are adapted to different environments. How does the skeleton of KNM-WT 15000 demonstrate this principle?
			A)	it is short and stocky
			B)	it is adapted for tree climbing
			C)	it is adapted to the cold
			D)	it is long and linear
			E)	it lacks a tail
12			KNM-WT 15000 has been suggested to be an eleven to twelve year old boy who stood 5'3". It has been estimated that this boy would have eventually reached six feet tall. What is the significance of this determination?
			A)	indicates increased sexual dimorphism
			B)	represents a modern growth trajectory
			C)	suggests increased nutritional intake
			D)	indicates lack of competition for resources
			E)	suggests the presence of a colder climate

Homo heidelbergensis (Frontal View) BH_004_036 (31.0K)	Homo heidelbergensis (Side View) BH_004_010 (34.0K)
Homo Sapiens (Frontal View) BC-110-01 (31.0K)	Homo Sapiens (Side View) BC_110_12 (29.0K)

13			Homo heidelbergensis arose in Africa around 600 kya and is represented by fossils from Africa (Bodo, Broken Hill, Elandsfontein), Europe (Petralona, Arago, Mauer) and possibly Asia (Dali, Jinnuishan). What features are prominent in the face and frontal of the Broken Hill fossil?
			A)	thick browridges
			B)	large face
			C)	flat receding frontal
			D)	increased cranial capacity
			E)	all of these
14			If you examine the rear of the skull, i.e. the occipital, what features are prominent?
			A)	occipital bun
			B)	great basal breadth
			C)	vertically oriented occipital
			D)	occipital torus
			E)	all but occipital bun
15			Homo heidelbergensis is defined by a morphological pattern that is a mix of primitive characteristics that are reminiscent of Homo erectus and derived characters which separate it from this group but do not align it with Homo sapiens. Compare the Broken Hill specimen with any of the three Homo erectus fossils and a modern Homo sapiens. What characteristics can you identify that are primitive and shared with Homo erectus?
			A)	projecting brow ridges; slight midline keeling; marked postorbital constriction
			B)	large face; presence of a chin; flattened frontal
			C)	reduced dentition; postorbital constriction
			D)	facial prognathism; large face; occipital bun
			E)	flattened frontal; marked flexion of the basicrania
16			What characters of Broken Hill are more derived?
			A)	facial prognathism; occipital bun; postorbital constriction
			B)	increased cranial capacity; crested anterior nasal sill; marked flexion of the basicrania
			C)	crested anterior nasal sill; increased anterior dentition
			D)	occipital bun; increased cranial capacity; pronounced brow ridge
			E)	marked flexion of the basicrania; flaring zygomatics; rounded occipital
17			Based on the characteristics that define Homo heidelbergensis as a distinct species, what subsequent groups are they hypothesized to be ancestral to?
			A)	Homo erectus
			B)	Homo ergaster
			C)	Homo habilis
			D)	Homo neanderthalensis
			E)	Homo antecessor

Homo Neanderthalensis (Frontal View) BH-019-036 (35.0K)	Homo Neanderthalensis (Side View) BH_019_010 (41.0K)
Homo Sapiens (Frontal View) BC-110-01 (31.0K)	Homo Sapiens (Side View) BC_110_12 (29.0K)

18			The Neandertals have been a much-studied group of fossils. They were present throughout Europe and the Middle East between 150 - 28 kya. The current consensus based on both genetic and morphological analysis is that Neandertals represent a separate species, Homo neanderthalensis, from modern Homo sapiens. What are some of the autapomorphic (uniquely derived) characteristics of the Neandertal face that differentiate them from modern Homo sapiens?
			A)	midfacial prognathism; an inflated maxillary region; rounded supraorbital ridges; retromolar space
			B)	increased cranial capacity; large nasal cavity
			C)	rounded supraorbital ridges; postorbital constriction; midfacial prognathism
			D)	postorbital constriction; presence of a chin; increased cranial capacity
			E)	retromolar space; large nasal cavity; alveolar prognathism
19			The Neandertals lived in Europe during a time of extreme cold and glacial encroachment, what features of the Neandertal face have been hypothesised to be a result of adaptation to a cold environment?
			A)	large nasal cavity
			B)	projecting brow ridges
			C)	small external auditory meatus
			D)	occipital bun
			E)	retromolar space
20			How did this feature adapt Neandertals to the cold?
			A)	allowed better sense of smell
			B)	made breathing easier
			C)	warm and humidify air
			D)	trapped more dirt particles
			E)	enhanced sense of taste
21			How does the structure of the Neandertal postcranial skeleton (see Ch 14) reflect the Neandertal adaptation to the cold?
			A)	it is short and stocky
			B)	it is adapted for tree climbing
			C)	it has a wider pelvis
			D)	it is long and linear
			E)	it has a reduced number of vertebrae
22			What rules do the Neandertal adaptations to the cold follow?
			A)	Newton's Law
			B)	Hardy-Weinberg
			C)	Law of independant assortment
			D)	Bergmann's and Allen's
			E)	None of these
23			It has been hypothesized that Neandertals are actually related to modern Homo sapiens. If this is the case, what evolutionary forces would have acted to maintain genetic continuity between the two populations, while at the same time allowing for the development of distinct Neandertal traits?
			A)	genetic drift and mutation
			B)	gene flow and natural selection
			C)	genetic drift and gene flow
			D)	mutation and natural selection
			E)	mutation and gene flow

Homo heidelbergensis (Frontal View) BH_022_1 (32.0K)

Homo heidelbergensis (Side View) BH_022_9 (34.0K)

24			SH 5 is one of many very impressive fossils discovered at the site of Sima de los Huesos (The Pit of Bones), Spain. SH 5 dates to 300 kya and has been assigned to the species Homo neanderthalensis even though it does not reflect all the Neandertal characteristics. What Neandertal characters can you observe on the temporal and occipital bones of this fossil?
			A)	flattened occipital; prominent temporal lines
			B)	suprainiac fossa on the occipital torus; large mastoid process
			C)	large mastoid process; occipital bun
			D)	prominent temporal lines; suprainiac fossa on the occipital torus
			E)	occipital bun; flattened occipital
25			What Neandertal character can you see in the face?
			A)	midfacial prognathism
			B)	projecting brow ridges
			C)	flaring zygomatic arches
			D)	pronounced supraorbital torus
			E)	all of these
26			What Neandertal characters can you discern in the dentition?
			A)	large projecting canines; small cheek teeth
			B)	retromolar space; cheek teeth that are large relative to the anterior dentition
			C)	cheek teeth that are large relative to the anterior dentition; large projecting canines
			D)	anterior teeth that are large relative to the cheek teeth; retromolar space
			E)	large projecting canines; small cheek teeth AND retromolar space; cheek teeth that are large relative to the anterior dentition
27			What features of the SH 5 cranium demonstrate its association with more primitive hominins, i.e Homo heidelbergensis and Homo erectus?
			A)	sagital keel; thick supraorbital torus
			B)	large mastoid process; occipital bun
			C)	maximum breadth of skull near apex; postorbital constriction
			D)	reduced cranial capacity; maximum breadth of the skull near the base
			E)	sagital keel; thick supraorbital torus AND reduced cranial capacity; maximum breadth of the skull near the base