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Compare the Characteristics of the Chimpanzee, Australopithecus spp., and Homo Sapiens Crania

167

23rd Dec 2021

A note on terminology: The Zihlman text uses the genus name Australopithecus to refer to all of the australopithecines, gracile and robust. Since the publication of her book, the robust australopithecines have been put in their own genus, Paranthropus.

Directions: Compare the characteristics of the chimpanzee, Australopithecus spp., and Homo sapiens crania using the reading, website provided, and lecture. The Zihlman reading will be the most helpful. Everything asked for here is presented in Zihlman or the lecture slides.

PART I—Cranio-Facial Comparisons

For each species, describe the following characteristics. (30 points)

Cranial Capacity

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Cranial Vault and Forehead

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Supraorbital Torus

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Temporal Region of Cranium

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Temporalis Muscles

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Mid-Facial Prognathism

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Zygomatic Arches

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Masseter Muscles

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Post-Orbital Constriction (pinching behind eye orbits)

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Nuchal Region

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

PART II—Dental Comparisons (25 points)

Incisors

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Canines

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Diastema

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Premolars

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Molars

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Molar Enamel

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Dental Arcade

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

Vertical Ramus of Mandible

Pan troglodytes:

Australopithecus spp.:

Homo sapiens:

PART III—Short Answers

Given the dentition and muscles associated with the chewing apparatus, what kind of diet did Australopithecus likely have? What does the significant wear on the molars suggest? (5.19) (5 points)

Paranthropus spp. (or robust australopithecines) are a highly specialized group of hominin species who differ from Australopithecus spp. in their cranial and dental anatomy. Describe the differences in the cranial and dental anatomy between these two genera (sing. genus). (5.20) (10 points)

a. Raymond Dart, an early paleoanthropologist, set forth the “Man-the-Hunter” hypothesis. Briefly describe what this hypothesis states. Is this hypothesis supported by the weight of evidence? (5.13) (15 points)

1. What are the various lines of evidence Zihlman highlights for testing the “Man-the-Hunter” hypothesis? (just state them here)

1. Given the evidence, what is a more appropriate characterization of early hominin behavior?

Use the skulls at the end of the lecture slides for these questions. (10 points)

Which of the skulls, A or B, belongs to an australopithecine?
What are the key differences between the skulls? You should name at least 5 characteristics.
Is the australopithecine from the genus Australopithecus (gracile) or Paranthropus (robust)? How do you know?