Question 1

Where have the fossil remains of the Miocene Hominoids not been found?

Accepted Answer

Fossil remains of Miocene hominoids have been found in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Turkey, but not in North America.

Question 2

Which genus is found in the Fayum and is probably close to the ancestry of both major groups of living Old World anthropoids?

Accepted Answer

Aegyptopithecus is the genus found in the Fayum and is considered to be close to the ancestry of both major groups of living Old World anthropoids (monkeys and apes). Apidium is a genus of Old World monkeys, Sivapithecus is a genus of ape and Paranthropus is a genus of hominin that lived much later than Aegyptopithecus. Australopithecus is also a hominin that lived later and is not found in the Fayum.

Question 3

The current evidence indicates that hominins possessed all the major structural changes necessary for bipedalism by

Accepted Answer

The major structural changes necessary for bipedalism in hominins are believed to have been present by around 4 million years ago, as evidenced by fossil records such as those of Australopithecus afarensis.

Question 4

Which of the following methods are not used to identify hominin fossil sites?

Accepted Answer

Water residue analysis is not a method typically used to identify hominin fossil sites. The other options listed are commonly used approaches, with aerial photography, satellite photography, and geological surveys being particularly important for identifying potential fossil sites. Vertebrate paleontology can also be crucial for identifying hominin fossils, as well as for providing broader context about the ecosystems in which they lived.

Question 5

The terms Sivapithecus, Proconsul, and Dryopithecus¸ applied to different groups of Miocene hominoids, refer to a distinction made at what taxonomic level?

Accepted Answer

Sivapithecus, Proconsul, and Dryopithecus are all names for different genera of Miocene hominoids. Therefore, the distinction is made at the genus level rather than species, subfamily, family, or order.

Question 6

The Miocene hominoids

Accepted Answer

The Miocene epoch (23.8-5.3 million years ago) is often referred to as the "golden age of hominoids" due to the diversity and abundance of fossil evidence for this group of primates. Miocene hominoids were not distributed over much of the New World (A), and were not all members of the same species (B). They did display variation in morphology (C), and were generally much larger than a house cat (D).

Question 7

When did the initial hominid divergence from the African hominoids most likely occur?

Accepted Answer

The initial divergence of hominids from their hominoid ancestors is widely believed to have occurred during the late Miocene, approximately 5 to 7 million years ago. This period is characterized by significant climatic changes that may have facilitated this evolutionary divergence.

Question 8

The earliest stone tools are dated to approximately

Accepted Answer

The earliest stone tools are dated to approximately 2.6 million years old, which is during the early Paleolithic era.

Question 9

The fossil evidence indicates that the Eocene primates were

Accepted Answer

The answer of The fossil evidence indicates that the Eocene...

Question 10

Where have Miocene hominoid fossils been found?

Accepted Answer

Miocene hominoid fossils have been found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, with the majority of the discoveries being made in Africa. No Miocene hominoid fossils have been found in North America, Australia, or Mexico.

Question 11

Anatomical changes in hominins indicative of habitual bipedal locomotion include

Accepted Answer

The shortening and broadening of the pelvis is indicative of habitual bipedal locomotion, as it allows for the weight of the body to be supported by the legs while also facilitating efficient movement.

Answer: E 
 The increased length of the pelvis is also indicative of habitual bipedal locomotion, as it provides more surface area for attachment of the muscles that support the trunk during walking.

Answers A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not describe anatomical changes that are indicative of habitual bipedal locomotion.

Question 12

Adaptive advantages of bipedalism include the following except

Accepted Answer

Bipedalism is not relevant to swimming. The other options are all known benefits of bipedalism.

Question 13

For humans, culture integrates an entire adaptive strategy involving all of the following except

Accepted Answer

The other four options (cognitive, political, economic, and social components) are all aspects of human culture that contribute to its adaptive strategy. However, biological components are not typically considered part of culture, as they refer to innate physiological traits rather than learned behaviors or beliefs.

Question 14

Before hominins made stone tools, they probably

Accepted Answer

Before hominins made stone tools, they most likely used sticks or other perishable materials as they were readily available in their environment and easily manipulated into desired shapes for various purposes. There is no evidence to suggest they had access to metal or ivory, and pottery did not appear until much later in human history. There is also no evidence to suggest they took tools from nonhuman primates.

Question 15

What is paleoanthropology?

Accepted Answer

Paleoanthropology is defined as the study of early humans, including their physical and cultural evolution, based on fossilized remains and other evidence. It is a subfield of both anthropology and archaeology, and involves interdisciplinary research from physical anthropology, archaeology, geology, and other sciences. It is not limited to the study of skeletal remains or non-primate mammals, and is not practiced exclusively by physical anthropologists or archaeologists.

Question 16

Hominins have been variably defined as having which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hominins are defined as having a combination of a large brain, toolmaking abilities, and adaptations for bipedalism. This distinguishes them from other primates and is considered to be characteristics of the human lineage.

Question 17

Fossil evidence for early hominin foot structure

Accepted Answer

Fossil evidence for early hominin foot structure has mainly come from South and East African sites.

Question 18

What have researchers concluded from the fossil remains of hominin feet from South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Researchers have concluded that the fossil remains of hominin feet from South Africa indicate that many forms of hominins spent considerable time in trees, as the feet show adaptations for both bipedalism and arborealism.

Question 19

The earliest hominin traces

Accepted Answer

The earliest hominin traces are primarily dental and cranial pieces, as these tend to preserve better than full skeletons or shattered bones. They date to the beginning of the Miocene, which is around 23 million years ago.

Question 20

The term hominin refers to a distinction made at what taxonomic level?

Accepted Answer

The term hominin refers to the tribe Hominini, which includes modern humans, our immediate ancestors, and other species more closely related to us than to chimpanzees.

Quiz 8: Primate and Hominin Origins