Humanities Homework Help

LA 9: Primate Skeletal Anatomy

Adapted from: Walker-Pacheco, SE. 2018. Exploring Physical Anthropology: Laboratory Manual & Workbook, 3rd Edition.

Introduction

In this Lab Activity you will apply what you have learned about primate skeletal anatomy to classify a series of primate skulls into their respective groupings. Primate anatomical comparisons like the ones you will be making here help us to identify what we humans share with the rest of the natural world, as well as what makes us unique – key information for understanding our origins and evolutionary history.

Instructions

Use your notes from Module 10 and the images provided to answer the following questions.

Cranium A

Cranium B

1. Compare Cranium A and Cranium B above, and describe at least three differences you observe between them. Be as specific as possible in your descriptions, using terminology you learned in Module 10 as much as possible.

2. Based on the observations you recorded for #1, what behavioral differences can you infer between Cranium A and Cranium B? (Hint: think back to LA 7: Functional Anatomy to help you)

3. Classify Cranium A and B as either “Primate” or “Non-primate.” Be sure to support your answer with at least two observed cranial characteristics.

4. Fill in Table 1 based on your observations of Cranium C – E below. You will use the information you record to determine which suborder (strepsirhini or halporhini) each primate cranium belongs to.

Cranium C

Cranium D

Cranium E

Table 1

Cranium

Braincase size relative to face (Smaller, Larger, or Proportional)

Orbits (Enclosed or Unenclosed)

Rostrum (“snout”) length

(Short or Long)

Toothcomb (Present/Absent)

C

D

E

5. Using information from Table 1, identify the primate suborder for Cranium C, D, and E.

Cranium C:

Cranium D:

Cranium E:

6. Strepsirhines are the only primates to possess a toothcomb. What are some possible behavioral inferences that can be made from this characteristic? In other words, what might the toothcomb be used for?

7. Fill in Table 2 based on your observations of Cranium F – H below. You will use the recorded information to determine what primate infraorder (tarsiiformes, platyrrhini, or catarrhini) each cranium belongs to.

Table 2

Cranium

Orbits larger than braincase? (Yes or No)

External Auditory Meatus (Cartilaginous or Bony)

Dental Formula

F

G

H

n/a

Cranium F

Cranium G

Cranium H

8. Using information from Table 2, identify the primate infraorders for Cranium F, G, and H:

Cranium F:

Cranium G:

Cranium H:

9. Determine the primate superfamily (cerecopithecoidea or hominoidea) for Cranium I and J below and identify at least one observed characteristic for each to support your answer.

Cranium I

Cranium J

10. Which cranium (A – J) do you think is the most “human-like”? Identify at least three shared traits you observed to support your answer.