[Campbell Biology P.801] Which of the following statements correctly describes sexual dimorp... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes sexual dimorphism in hominins as discussed in the text?

  • A: The reduced sexual dimorphism in Homo ergaster suggests a social system with more pair-bonding and less intense male-male competition.
  • B: Australopithecus afarensis males and females exhibited a smaller size difference compared to modern humans.
  • C: Extreme sexual dimorphism is typically associated with extensive pair-bonding in primates.
  • D: Male gorillas and orangutans weigh approximately 1.2 times as much as females of their species.

Explanation

The text states: 'In species that undergo more pair-bonding including our own , sexual dimorphism is less dramatic. In H. ergaster, therefore, males and females may have engaged in more pair-bonding than earlier hominins did.' This directly supports option A. The other options are contradicted by specific comparative data or associations described in the text.