Comparison of hominin species

• Genus Australopithecus: (fossil evidence)

  • facial profile - low forehead, more projective upper and lower jaw, 480cm brain size (range of modern gorillas),
  • posture - S-shaped curvature, foramen magnum more forward
  • dentition - prominent cusps on molars and short, non-projecting canines, no diastema
  • bipedalism - femur, pelvis and carrying angle more alike humans, non-opposable big toe
  • hands - shorter thumb, fingers better adapted for power grip (arboreal lifestyle)
• Australopithecus afarensis: (compared to africanus)

  • skull - low, sloping forehead, prominent brow ridges
  • teeth and jaw - prognathism, small canines, diastema
  • limbs - non-opposable big toe, long arms and curved finger and toes
  • pelvis - short and wide
• Australopithecus africanus: (compared to afarensis)

  • skull - slightly arched forehead, smaller brow ridge
  • teeth and jaw - prognathism, shorter and smaller incisors and canines, large molars, no diastema
  • limbs - non-opposable big toe, long arms, some curvature of finger and toes
  • pelvis - short and wide (less rounded than modern humans)
• Key features of Paranthropus robustus:

  • 1 - 1.2 m height
  • large sagittal crest
  • very large molars with small incisors and canines
  • prognathism (less than australopithecines)
  • wide, dish-shaped face with large zygomatic arches
  • heavy brow ridges
• Key features of Homo habilis: (handy human)

  • 1.1 - 1.3 m height
  • rounder skull
  • small brow ridge
  • central foramen magnum
  • moderate prognathism
  • rounder dental arcade
  • relatively short legs and long arms
  • slight curved finger bones → strong power grip
  • able to form precision grip
• Key features of Homo erectus:

  • 1.45 - 1.85 m
  • short, stocky body with thicker bones (suggests demanding lifestyle)
  • low, sloping foreheard
  • defined brow ridges
  • large, thick jaw without a chin
  • reduced molar size
• Key features of Homo neanderthalensis: (compared to Homo sapiens)

  • body type - shorter, more robust and muscular, wider shoulders
  • height - 1.56 m and 1.68 m
  • brain - 1500 cm
  • skull - long and low brain case, occipital bun, receding forehead, flared zygomatic arches, depression at back of skull
  • teeth and jaw - larger and more robust prognathic jaw, lacking chin, larger teeth
  • limbs - thick limbs with large joints, shorter
  • pelvis - wider pelvis
  • ribcage - barrel-shaped
• Key features Homo sapiens:

  • body type - short, slender trunks and long limbs
  • height - 1.6 m and 1.75 m
  • brain - 1350 cm
  • skull - short base and high brain case
  • teeth and jaw - short jaw, bony chin, small teeth
  • limbs - long legs, straight fingers and toes
  • ribcage - less barrel-shaped