Classroom Activity
How to use the Aleph viewer
This slideshow demonstrates how to use the Aleph viewer in MorphoSource. See the comments in the top left of each image. Click the right arrow to move through the slideshow.
Now You're the Paleoanthropologist
Mode of Locomotion
You're a world-renowned paleoanthropologist who has been flown overseas to help identify organisms at an excavation site. They have discovered several pelves from different time periods.
They all look slightly similar since the pelvis is a homologous structure- an anatomical trait that looks similar across multiple species due to shared ancestry. You realize that populations of organisms that are more closely related will likely look similar because they share a more recent common ancestor. You also realize that knowing certain things about the organisms, like mode of locomotion, might help you identify the species.
Your job is to figure out the mode of locomotion for these species. Use that knowledge, as well as the general structure of the pelvis, to sort these organisms into a phylogenetic tree.
Answer the following questions by examining these pelves from MorphoSource.
They all look slightly similar since the pelvis is a homologous structure- an anatomical trait that looks similar across multiple species due to shared ancestry. You realize that populations of organisms that are more closely related will likely look similar because they share a more recent common ancestor. You also realize that knowing certain things about the organisms, like mode of locomotion, might help you identify the species.
Your job is to figure out the mode of locomotion for these species. Use that knowledge, as well as the general structure of the pelvis, to sort these organisms into a phylogenetic tree.
Answer the following questions by examining these pelves from MorphoSource.
Pelvis # 1 |
Pelvis # 2 |
1. How are Pelvis 1 and Pelvis 2 similar? How are they different?
2. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 1? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
3. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 2? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
2. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 1? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
3. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 2? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
Pelvis # 3
4. Now look at Pelvis 3. Note that this is a fossil and not all parts of this fossil are preserved. Is it more similar to Pelvis 1 or Pelvis 2? How?
5. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 3? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
5. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 3? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
Pelvis # 4
6. Now look at Pelvis 4. Is it more similar to Pelvis 1 or Pelvis 2? How?
7. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 4? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
7. What is the most likely mode of locomotion for Pelvis 4? Support your answer using concepts of biomechanics.
8. Try creating a phylogenetic tree with these pelves. You don’t have to know what species they belong to- make your decision based on similarity and differences of traits.
Extended Activity: Sexing the pelvis
You've successfully identified the species in the assemblage. The team now asks you to figure out the sex of each hominin pelvis. The team will be able to use that information to figure out other important things about the organisms, like weight, height, or age.
Answer the following question by examining these pelves from MorphoSource.
Answer the following question by examining these pelves from MorphoSource.
9. The following six pelves are all hominins. Use any method(s) you wish to sex these pelves. You may wish to use measurements to help your determination. Support your determination by describing which method(s) you used.