Student Wrap-up
Topic: Investigating Hominoid Fossils: Evidence of Evolution
Benchmark: SC.912.L.15.10 Identify basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors six million years ago to
modern humans, including brain size, jaw size, language, and manufacture of tools.
Background Information
Because hominoid fossils are rare, the discovery of a new one is an exciting event. A paleontologist
takes photographs of a fossil while it is in the ground and after it is unearthed. He or she also makes
many measurements. These observations make it easier to compare the new discovery to fossils that
have already been classified.
Using measurements to compare fossil skeletons is not easy, especially when the skeletons are
incomplete. How can a scientist know whether a skeleton is typical of its species? For example, a scientist
may find a wide variation in the height of two skeletons. Does this variation indicate that the individuals
were members of two different species? Does it reflect a range of heights within the same species?
To deal with this problem, scientists use the measurements of certain bones to calculate indexes. An
index is a ratio that compares the value of one measurement in relation to another. Indexes are useful
because they are independent of overall size. Very tall and very short members of the same species
should have similar indexes. With indexes, it is more likely that any variations are related to differences
in species, not just differences in size.
Purpose: to investigate how hominoid fossils can show similarities and differences
Materials: Paper and ruler
Procedures:
Part A: Supraorbital Height Index in Hominoids
Figure 1 shows side views of skulls from four hominoid species: Pan troglodytes, Australopithecus afarensis, Homo
erectus, and Homo sapiens. You will use these drawings to determine distances from the top of the skull to the upper
and lower edges of the eye socket. Then you will calculate the supraorbital height index (SHI), which indicates the
proportion of the skull that is above the eyes. The prefix supra- means “above.”
1. Measure the distances AC and BC in centimeters for each skull. Record the measurements in Data Table 1.
2. For each species, divide the value of BC by the value of AC and multiply the result by 100. The result is the supraorbital
height index (SHI). Round the answers to the nearest whole number, and record them in Data Table 1.
Part B: Thumb Index in Hominoids
Figure 2 depicts the thumb and index finger of Pan troglodytes, Australopithecus afarensis, and Homo sapiens. You will
use these drawings to calculate a thumb index for each species. The thumb index compares the length of the thumb to
the length of the hand.
3. For each species, measure the length of the thumb and the length of the index finger in centimeters. Make these
measurements from the tip of the digit to the point where the finger and thumb meet at the wrist joint. Record your
results in Data Table 2.
4. To calculate the thumb index, divide thumb length by index finger length and multiply the result by 100. Round the
answer to the nearest whole number and record the result in the table.
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012
Figure 1 Hominoid skulls
Pan troglodytes
Australopithecus afarensis
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012
Figure 2 Hand bones of three hominoids
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012
Student Wrap-up Record Sheet
Topic: Investigating Hominoid Fossils
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What will you use instead of actual skulls and hands to make your measurements?
2. The bony cavities in a skull that protect the eyes are called orbits or eye sockets. On the skulls, what does line AC
measure? What does line BC measure?
Data Table 1: Skull Measurements
Species
BC (cm)
AC (cm)
SHI
Pan troglodytes
Australopithecus afarensis
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens
Data Table 2: Hand Measurements
Thumb Length
(cm)
Index Finger
Length (cm)
Thumb Index
Pan troglodytes
Australopithecus afarensis
Homo sapiens
1. Of the species you investigated, which had the smallest SHI and which had the largest? What is the relationship
between the SHI value and the shape of the skull?
2. How might an increase in a hominoid’s SHI value affect the size of its brain?
3. Does the data support the hypothesis that the thumb index increased as the opposable thumb hand evolved? Explain.
4. How could an increase in the thumb index affect a hominoid’s ability to use its hands?
5. Suppose you repeated this lab with drawings that were half the size of the drawings you used. Would your results be
the same? Why or why not?
6. Create a hypothesis about another body part that can be used for comparison like the hand or the skull.
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012
Teacher Heads-up
Benchmark: SC.912.L.15.10 Identify basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors six million years ago to
modern humans, including brain size, jaw size, language, and manufacture of tools.
Background Information
Because hominoid fossils are rare, the discovery of a new one is an exciting event. A paleontologist takes photographs of
a fossil while it is in the ground and after it is unearthed. He or she also makes many measurements. These observations
make it easier to compare the new discovery to fossils that have already been classified.
Using measurements to compare fossil skeletons is not easy, especially when the skeletons are incomplete. How can a
scientist know whether a skeleton is typical of its species? For example, a scientist may find a wide variation in the height
of two skeletons. Does this variation indicate that the individuals were members of two different species? Does it reflect
a range of heights within the same species?
To deal with this problem, scientists use the measurements of certain bones to calculate indexes. An index is a ratio that
compares the value of one measurement in relation to another. Indexes are useful because they are independent of
overall size. Very tall and very short members of the same species should have similar indexes. With indexes, it is more
likely that any variations are related to differences in species, not just differences in size.
Materials: Paper and ruler
Instructions:
1. Print out the pages of the lesson, skulls and bones of the hand for the lab station.
2. Print copies of the student Record Sheet.
3. Place a ruler at the station
Answers to Questions:
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What will you use instead of actual skulls and hands to make your measurements?
I will be using images of skulls and hands.
2. The bony cavities in a skull that protect the eyes are called orbits or eye sockets. On the skulls, what does line AC
measure? What does line BC measure?
Line AC measures the distance from the bottom of the eye socket to the top of the skull. Line BC measures the distance from the top
of the eye socket to the top of the skull.
Data Table 1: Skull Measurements
Species
BC (cm)
AC (cm)
SHI
Pan troglodytes
1.6
4.1
39
Australopithecus afarensis
2.0
4.2
48
Homo erectus
2.9
4.7
62
Homo sapiens
3.4
4.7
72
Data Table 2: Hand Measurements
Pan troglodytes
Australopithecus afarensis
Homo sapiens
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012
Thumb
Length (cm)
1.8
2.8
3.0
Index Finger
Length (cm)
4.7
4.5
4.7
Thumb Index
38
62
64
Post Questions
1. Of the species you investigated, which had the smallest SHI and which had the largest? What is the relationship
between the SHI value and the shape of the skull?
Sample answer: Pan had the smallest SHI and Homo sapiens had the largest. In skulls
with a higher SHI value, a larger proportion of the skull is above the eye.
2. How might an increase in a hominoid’s SHI value affect the size of its brain?
Sample answer: When the proportion of the skull above the eyes increases, there is
more room for the brain. Thus, the size of the brain could increase relative to the
overall size of the skull.
3. Does the data support the hypothesis that the thumb index increased as the opposable thumb hand evolved?
Explain.
Sample answer: The data (although limited) seems to support this hypothesis because
Pan, which does not have an opposable thumb, has a smaller thumb index than H. sapiens, which has an opposable
thumb.
4. How could an increase in the thumb index affect a hominoid’s ability to use its hands?
Sample answer: As the thumb index increases, the length of the thumb increases in relation to the rest of the hand.
Longer thumbs can touch the fingertips, making it easier to grasp objects and use them as tools.
5. Suppose you repeated this lab with drawings that were half the size of the drawings you used. Would your
results be the same? Why or why not?
Sample answer: The measurements would have been different, but the indexes would not have changed because the
drawings would have the same proportions.
6. Create a hypothesis about another body part that can be used for comparison like the hand or the skull.
If the animal has a pelvic girdle then the bones can be used as a comparison with other vertebrates.
Adapted from Pearson Biology 2012