Final Exam Flashcards
How are the genus Homo different from Australopithecus?
Cranial - Larger brain size, smaller, less prognathic face, a more slender mandible as well as smaller molars and premolars
Postcranial - Larger body size, slimmer thorax and trunk, and longer lower limbs more adapted for bipedalism
The earliest species of Homo were transitional between the genera Homo and Australopithecus. True or false?
True
List the morphological characteristics of Homo habilis.
Cranial - Brain size larger than 600cc, small and narrow cheek teeth with lightly built skulls and jaws, a more gracile orthognathic face, and a well rounded cranium with no crest
Postcranial - Dexterous hand for making tools and long arms suggesting the retention good climbing abilities
List the morphological characteristics of Homo rudolfensis.
Cranial - More orthognathic face, and well rounded cranium w/o a crest
Postcranial - Dexterous hand for making stone tools
How is Homo erectus different from modern humans (Homo sapiens)?
Cranial - Oblong neurocranium, supraorbital torus, alveolar prognathism, sloping mandibular symphysis (no chin), transverse occipital torus, sagittal keel, postorbital constriction, frontal lobe anatomy similar to modern apes
Postcranial - Narrow pelvic region, barrel shaped chest
*They also had modern human-like limb proportions, saw a decrease in the size of their molars, premolars, guts, and mandibles.
What does a reduction in gut size suggest, as seen in Homo erectus?
A diet more focused on meat.
Which was more terrestrial: H. erectus, H. habilis, or H. ruldofensis?
H. erectus
What are the main differences between Asian and African Homo erectus?
Asian - larger brains, stronger sagittal keel, parasagittal depression, very thick supraorbital torus, receding forehead, very long low and flat brain case, and very thick skull bones
African - weaker occipital torus
Define the species Homo antecessor.
A hominid believed to be a close relative the Homo erectus, found in various locations in Spain
Define the species Homo heidelbergensis.
A large brained (1000-1300cc) hominid that was widespread throughout Africa and Eurasia 1-0.3 Ma. Believed to be a descendant of Homo erectus, this species also serves as an ancestor to Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis.
How is Homo neanderthalensis different from modern humans (Homo sapiens)?
Cranial - Very long and low brain case (1250-1700cc), well developed double arched supraorbital torus, projecting (prognathic) mid face, occipital bun, no chin, gradually receding cheekbones, very tall and wide nasal aperture
Postcranial - shorter stature, and a stocky muscular build with a wider thorax and shorter limbs
Where did Homo neanderthalensis reside?
Europe and western asia within caves
Define Sima de los Huesos.
A hominid found in Spain, displaying similarities to H. heidelbergensis but foreshadowing craniofacial features of Neanderthals. ( Double arched supraorbital torus, midfacial prognathism, large nasal opening, and retromolar gap)
Define the species Homo florensiensis.
A small brained hominid that was 3 ft tall and found in Flores, Indonesia. Believed to evolved from H. erectus due to a population bottleneck from a group of the H. erectus species crossing Wallace’s Line and becoming isolated.
List some general traits of Homo sapiens.
Cranial - canine fossa, chin, highly flexed cranial base, very large brains (1300-1600cc), distinct endocranial morphology
*There was some variation in early Homo sapiens
