Australopithecus — Africanus
: Habitual bipeds (walked on two legs) but retained long arms for climbing.
: Had human-like ankle joints and pelvis for efficient ground walking. Evolutionary Significance australopithecus africanus
: Lived approximately 3.3 to 2.1 million years ago. : Habitual bipeds (walked on two legs) but
The species Australopithecus africanus represents a landmark discovery in paleoanthropology, serving as the first evidence that humans originated in Africa. The "Southern Ape" of Africa averaging 420–500 cc. : Rounder cranium
: Slightly larger than A. afarensis , averaging 420–500 cc.
: Rounder cranium, less sloping face, and smaller teeth than earlier hominins.
: Latin Australo (southern), Greek pithecus (ape), and africanus (of Africa).