Primate evolution

Question 1

Give three examples of primate hard tissue characteristics

Answer 1

Primitive and pentadactyle limbs, nails, grasping hands and feet

Question 2

Give three examples of primate soft tissue characteristics

Answer 2

Favour vision over olfaction, generalised diet, big brains

Question 3

Give three examples of primate behavioural characteristics

Answer 3

Flexible behaviour, extended infant care, large social groups

Question 4

Describe the suborder Strepsirhini

Answer 4

Wet noses, includes Lemurifores

Question 5

Describe the suborder Haplorhini

Answer 5

Dry nose, includes Tarsiiformes, Catarrhini (includes Hominoids), and Platyrrhini

Question 6

What is the closest relative of the human lineage and when did the split occur?

Answer 6

Split from chimpanzees 8mya

Question 7

When did the Hominin fossil record begin and how do we know?

Answer 7

7mya, based on skull, teeth, body size

Question 8

What adaptations do Hominins have to maintain their bipedality (first evidence 6.0mya)?

Answer 8

Pelvis and limb bones, Foramen magnum (opening where neck joins to head)

Question 9

What adaptations do Hominins have to maintain their upright posture?

Answer 9

Bucket-shaped pelvis, barrel-shaped ribcage, double curved spine, specialised feet

Question 10

Give three example of Hominin head
characteristics

Answer 10

Small canines, parabolic dental arcade, thick enamel, vertical face

Question 11

Describe the genus Australopithicus

Answer 11

4.0-2.5mya, split into 5 species, less robust skeleton than Paranthropus (sister taxon at same time)

Question 12

How old is the earliest found specimen on the genus Homo?

Answer 12

2mya. Had large brains which allowed complex behaviour

Question 13

Describe Homo habilis, the earliest known Homo species

Answer 13

2.2-1.8mya. Larger brain and smaller teeth than Australopithicus. Earliest known stone tools. Sexual dimorphism. East African.

Question 14

Describe Homo erectus, possibly the first Hominins to migrate out of Africa

Answer 14

1.8mya-200kya. Small brain, robust skull was long and low with a broad base and prominent brow. Body skeleton similar to modern humans. Found in Africa and South Asia.

Question 15

Describe archaic Homo sapiens

Answer 15

Regional skull variations. Includes Neantherthals (Europe and Arabia, 500-30kya, interbred with anatomically modern humans (led to lateral gene transfer), prominent brow ridge)

Question 16

Describe anatomically modern humans

Answer 16

First appear 250kya, migrate from N. Africa. Modern morphology takes over Archaic morphology. Prominent chin and domed cranial vault.