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paleoanthropology, genetics and evolution

Australopithecus sediba: A New Species of Homo-Like Australopith from South Africa

Sun, 2011-07-31 22:09 -- John Hawks
TitleAustralopithecus sediba: A New Species of Homo-Like Australopith from South Africa
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsBerger, LR, de Ruiter, DJ, Churchill, SE, Schmid, P, Carlson, KJ, Dirks, PHGM, Kibii, JM
JournalScience
Volume328
Pagination195–204
Date Publishedapr
Keywords2010-08-17, africa, Australopithecus, habilis, homo, pliocene, sediba, South Africa
Abstract

Despite a rich African Plio-Pleistocene hominin fossil record, the ancestry of Homo and its relation to earlier australopithecines remain unresolved. Here we report on two partial skeletons with an age of 1.95 to 1.78 million years. The fossils were encased in cave deposits at the Malapa site in South Africa. The skeletons were found close together and are directly associated with craniodental remains. Together they represent a new species of Australopithecus that is probably descended from Australopithecus africanus. Combined craniodental and postcranial evidence demonstrates that this new species shares more derived features with early Homo than any other australopith species and thus might help reveal the ancestor of that genus. 10.1126/science.1184944
URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1184944
DOI10.1126/science.1184944
Citation KeyBerger:sediba:2010

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