It used to be split into gracile and robust varieties, but the latter are now considered another group that includes the boisei species, known as Paranthropus.
The earliest known example of this taxonomic group was discovered in and named for Tuang, South Africa. It used to be split into gracile and robust varieties, but the latter are now considered another group that includes the boisei species, known as Paranthropus. A set of footprints from some of its members, discovered by Mary Leakey in Laetoli, showed arched feet and non-opposable big toes, and members of this genus have been excavated in Olduvai Gorge. The most famous specimen of this genus, discovered in Ethiopia, was 3.5 feet tall and named Lucy. Studied by Raymond Dart, for 10 points, name this extinct genus of hominids with species afarensis and africanus.
The earliest known example of this taxonomic group was discovered in and named for Tuang, South Africa.
{Australopithecus} [or {australopithecines}; or {australopiths}; accept {Australopithecus africanus} before "{split}"]