Humans and Apes: Comparing Features

Comparison of Features: Table Clues Table I: Quadraped & Biped Characteristics Posture: Bent over or Upright Type of Locomotion: Quadrapedal or Bipedal Shape of Lumbar Region: (Describe the shape.) Leg and Arm Length: (Describe their lengths compared to each other.) Position of Hind Legs: Bent or Straight Position of Center of Gravity: (Describe its location.) Shape of Pelvis: Bowl shaped OR Elongated) Location of Upper Body Weight on the Femur: Inside or Outside of the Lower Portion of the Femur Arches of Feet: Low Arch (flat) or High Arch Position of Big Toe: Opposable Big Toe or In line with other toes Table II: Ape and Human Skulls Cranial Capacity: (Compare the size of their brain space.) Length and Size of Jaw: (Compare their length and size.) Facial Profile (Prognathism): Sloping Profile or Vertical Profile Brow Ridge (Supra-orbital ridge): Present or Absent Dental Arcade: U-shaped (parallel sides) or V-shaped (parabola shape) Number of Teeth: (Give total number of teeth in lower jaw.) Molars: (Give total number of teeth in lower jaw.) Premolars: (Give total number of teeth in lower jaw.) Canine: (Give total number of teeth in lower jaw.) Incisors: (Give total number of teeth in lower jaw.) Size of Canine Teeth: (Describe the size of the canines). Gaps in Teeth: (Do the teeth have gaps between them? Look specifically at the canines.)

Posture... Humans Apes Upright Bipedal (Walk on 2 feet) Bent over Quadrupedal “knuckle-walking”

CHARACTERISTICS Shape of Lumbar Region Position of Hind Legs Position of Center of Gravity Location of Upper Body Weight on the Femur

CHARACTERISTICS Posture Type of Locomotion Leg & Arm Length Shape of the Pelvis Arches of Feet Position of big Toe

Bent forward from spine Skull Apes Humans Bent forward from spine Rugged surface Thick brow ridge Sagittal crest Box or v-shaped jaw Held upright on spine Smooth surface U shaped jaw Photo from: http://encarta.msn.com/media_461516627_761566394_-1_1/Gorilla_Skull_Compared_with_Human_Skull.html

Comparison of Ape & Human Skulls CHARACTERISTICS Cranium Capacity Facial Slope Supra-Orbital Ridge CHARACTERISTICS Incisors = I Canines = C Premolars = P Molars = M I I I I I I I I C C C C P P P P P P P P M M M M M M M M M M M M

Arm & Leg Length Humans Apes Arms longer than legs Arms for swinging Legs longer than arms Legs for striding

Big toe in line with others Feet Humans Apes Low arches Opposable toes Used for grasping High arches Big toe in line with others Used for walking

Teeth Humans Apes Large teeth Large canines Large gaps between canines & other teeth Small teeth Small canines Small/no gaps between canines & other teeth

Face Humans Apes Sloping profile Acute angle Jaw juts out Wide nasal opening Vertical profile ~90o angle Distinct chin Narrow nasal opening

(among living species) (from ancient to modern) Brain Size Humans Apes Smaller brain 280-705 cc (among living species) Larger brain 400-2000 cc (from ancient to modern)

Age at Puberty Humans Apes Between 10 and 13 Usually 13 or older

Various, specific times Breeding Season Humans Apes Various, specific times each year Ex: spring time Continuous cycles throughout the year