ANTH 100 Bioanth Worksheet
Name: _____________________________
Please respond to the following questions. You should be able to generate your most of your responses
through the lab. There will be paper copies of this handout in class so that you can take notes, but you
need to take the notes home and submit your answers via CourseSpaces.
A tip: Each question will be assigned a number of marks. You should try to match your response to the
value of the question (e.g. if it’s worth 4 marks, you should make 4 clear points).
Non-Human Primate Station Questions (/10):
At this station you will see a variety of primate skulls. Your job is to try to identify which primate is
which, by looking at the skulls and the photographs. Once you have matched skulls to primate species,
think about the features that they have in common, as well as their differences. Then respond to the
following questions. You have approximately 12 minutes.
1. Just on the basis of the skulls, what features might we look at to class these as primates (as
opposed to some other kind of animal)? (/1)
2. Compare the eye orbits of the owl monkey to the chimpanzee. How are they different and
what is the likely reason for this difference? (/2)
3. After lab: Can you think of another example of a primate adaptation to the environment that
would be evident in its skeletal morphology? Describe and explain an adaptation of your
choice. (Feel free to use your text and Google. This can be general or it can be specific to one
species of primate. Cite your sources.) (/4)
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Hominin Station Questions (/10):
At this station are a variety of skulls that are representative of hominin evolution throughout the last
three million years. As a group, please take a few minutes to organise these skulls in a manner which
you feel represents this evolution. Once you have sorted the skulls, reveal the mystery skull and respond
to the questions below.
You have approximately 12 minutes.
After you and your group have settled on an organisation for the skulls, please describe how your group
has arrived at this result (what physical properties did you consider during the organisation process?).
4. What characteristics did you use to sort the skulls? Explain your answer. (/3)
5. What difficulties did you encounter when sorting? (/2)
6. Describe the mystery skull. What characteristics did you note? How might you explain some of
those characteristics? Where do you think this skull belongs in the series that your group
created? Explain your answer. (/5)
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Biological Sex Station Questions (/10):
At this station, you will be introduced to how we examine the biological sex of skeletons. After looking at
the examples, you will be shown a mystery skull. As a group, try to determine whether the mystery skull
is male or female. You have approximately 12 minutes.
7. Review: Compare the two gorilla skulls. Which is male and which is female? What features did
you use to identify them? (/2)
8. Record the measurements you took for each pelvis: (/2)
Male Female
Angle of pubic arch Angle of pubic arch
Overall width Overall width
Width of pelvic inlet Width of pelvic inlet
9. Compare the two pelves. How might you describe/explain the differences between them? (/3)
10. MYSTERY SKULL: What conclusions can be drawn about this individual’s life (e.g. probable sex,
health, age)? What evidence are you using for these conclusions? (/3)
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Key terms for spelling purposes: Coccyx, Foramen magnum, Ilium (Ilia), Occipital torus, Prognathism,
Pubic arch, Sagittal crest, Zygomatic arch
