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Anthropology Lab: Primate Anatomy

This document appears to be instructions for a lab practical exam in an anthropology course on human origins. It outlines 9 stations examining primate anatomy through identification of skeletal features, comparisons of locomotion, crania, sexual dimorphism, articulated skeletons, classification, dentition, foramen magnum position, and spinal column characteristics. Students are asked to observe physical features, identify differences, complete tables, and describe anatomical structures and their implications for locomotion and other functions.

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Ved Muthusamy
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71 views4 pages

Anthropology Lab: Primate Anatomy

This document appears to be instructions for a lab practical exam in an anthropology course on human origins. It outlines 9 stations examining primate anatomy through identification of skeletal features, comparisons of locomotion, crania, sexual dimorphism, articulated skeletons, classification, dentition, foramen magnum position, and spinal column characteristics. Students are asked to observe physical features, identify differences, complete tables, and describe anatomical structures and their implications for locomotion and other functions.

Uploaded by

Ved Muthusamy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Name _____________________ Section____________

ANTHROPOLOGY 213 – HUMAN ORIGINS


Lab 5: Comparative Primate Anatomy

Station 1: Identification
Using the pictures provided in the powerpoint, circle which primate is a platyrrhine (NW
monkey) and which is a catarrhine (OW monkey). Provide two reasons:

Platyrrhine: A B reasons: _________________________________


(1/2 pt)

Catarrhine: A B reasons: _________________________________


(1/2 pt)

Station 2: Locomotion
Name skeletal characteristics/shapes unique to each of these modes of locomotion (1/4 pt
each):
Leaper:

Arboreal Quadruped:

Brachiator:

Biped:

Station 3: Crania
This station includes an ape skull, a human skull, a monkey skull, and a non-primate
skull. Describe two differences between:
Ape and human (1/2 pt)

1._________________________ 2.____________________________

Monkey and non-primate (1/2 pt)

1._________________________ 2.____________________________

1
Station 4: Sexual Dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is the difference in physical characteristics between males and
females of the same species. Such physical differences between males and females are
thought to have evolved through sexual selection and/or ecological selection.
Here is a skull of a male gorilla and a skull of a female gorilla.
A. Identify one difference in their cranial structure and morphology (1/2 pt):

B. Identify one difference in their dental morphology (1/2 pt):

Station 5: Articulated skeletons


Here are a human skeleton, a chimpanzee skeleton and a cat skeleton. Fill out the table to
describe the differences you see in these bones (1 pt):

Human Chimp Cat


Thorax & Vertebral
Column

Pelvis

Lower limb

How does the above morphology reflect function (e.g. locomotion)? (1 pt)

2
Station 6: Primate classification and character traits
Primates are classified in different ways. Complete the following tables illustrating some
of the classifications and differentiating characteristics of each. (1 pt)

Prosimian/Strepsirhine Anthropoid/Haplorhine
Dental specialization

Nails v. claws

Muzzle/snout

Body size

Station 7: Dentition
A1) Describe the shape of the human dental arcade. (1/4 pt)

A2) Describe the shape of the ape dental arcade. (1/4 pt)

B1) What is the space between the incisors and canines called? (1/4 pt)

B2) What is the functional importance of this space? (1/4 pt)

3
Station 8: Foramen Magnum
A) Describe the position of the human and ape foramen magnum (1 pt):

Human: ________________________________________

Ape: ___________________________________________

B) What is the functional importance of the difference in human and ape foramen
magnum position, specifically in terms of locomotion?

Station 9: Spinal Column


What characteristic of the spinal column allows humans to maintain a vertical center of
gravity when standing in an upright position? (1 pt)

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