Evolution of Humans Quiz

Australopithecus

• Characterized by a flat spot behind the eyes, known as a sulcus
• Supra orbital torus, a bar of bone above the eyes
• Skull is widest below the eyes
• Occipital torus, a small cranial capacity
• Large canines with a diastema, a space for canines to interlock
• Sectorial pre-molar, a tooth made of pulp covered in enamel coating
• U-shaped mandible jaw with no chin
• Arms are longer than legs
• Flang pelvis and mobile foot
• Exhibited bipedality, with a foramen magnum located centrally
• Large mastoid process

Homo

• High vaulted skull, with a post-orbital expansion
• No crest or marked muscle attachment
• Skull is widest at the top
• No occipital torus
• Large cranial capacity
• Small canines with no diastema
• No sectorial pre-molar, but molars with thick enamel
• Parabolic-shaped mandible with a well-developed chin
• Legs are longer than arms
• Bowl pelvis and platform foot
• Exhibited bipedality, with a foramen magnum located centrally

Fossil Discoveries

• Eugene Dubois discovered a skull cap and femur in Java, Indonesia, and named it Pithecanthropus erectus (1.8 million years ago)
• Raymond Dart discovered the Taung Baby, a fossil of Australopithecus africanus in South Africa
• Robert Broom discovered an adult Australopithecus africanus in South Africa, dated to 3-2 million years ago
• Davison Black discovered Sinanthropus pekinsus in Beijing, China, dated to 400,000 years ago
• Lewis Leakey discovered Paranthropus boisei in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, East Africa
• Richard Leakey discovered a skull, KNMWT, and Mary Leakey discovered footprints in Lateoli, Tanzania
• Don Johanson discovered a 40% complete skeleton, named Lucy, which was later reconstructed by Tim White, and found to be an Australopithecus afarensis
• Johanson also discovered a group of 13 skeletons, showing sexual dimorphism

Homo Evolution

• Homo erectus was found in the Republic of Georgia, dated to 1.7 million years ago
• Homo ergaster was found in Dmanisi, and is considered an early form of Homo erectus
• Homo erectus was also found in Lake Turkana, dated to 1.7 million years ago
• Homo habilis was found in South Africa, dated to 2.8-1.4 million years ago
• Homo heidelbergensis was found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, dated to 800,000-300,000 years ago
• Out of Africa theory proposes that all modern humans are related to the African group from 140,000-130,000 years ago
• Mitochondrial Eve is the proposed common ancestor of all modern humans

Hominin Traits

• Brain enlargement and reorganization
• Dental anatomy (2-1-2-3)
• Obligate bipedalism

Hominin Classification

• Hominin: all living humans and their ancestors
• Hominid: all modern and extinct great apes
• Hominoid: all living humans, apes, and their ancestors