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The first skull of Australopithecus boisei

Author

Listed:
  • Gen Suwa

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Berhane Asfaw

    (Rift Valley Research Service)

  • Yonas Beyene

    (CRCCH, Ministry of Information and Culture)

  • Tim D. White

    (Laboratory for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of California)

  • Shigehiro Katoh

    (Hyogo Museum of Human and Nature Activities)

  • Shinji Nagaoka

    (Nagasaki University)

  • Hideo Nakaya

    (Kagawa University)

  • Kazuhiro Uzawa

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Paul Renne

    (Berkeley Geochronology Center)

  • Giday WoldeGabriel

    (EES-1/D462, Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Abstract

Australopithecus boisei was first described from a cranium recovered in 1959 from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania1,2. This and subsequent finds, mostly from Kenya's Turkana basin3,4,5, resulted in its characterization as a specialized Australopithecus species with a hyper-robust masticatory apparatus2,4,6. A distinct A. boisei facial morphology has been emphasized to differentiate robust Australopithecus lineages from East and South Africa6. A preference for closed and/or wet habitats has been hypothesized7. Here we report some new A. boisei specimens, including the taxon's first cranium and associated mandible, from Konso, Ethiopia. These fossils extend the known geographical range of A. boisei. They provide clear evidence for the coexistence of A. boisei and Homo erectus within a predominantly dry grassland environment. The A. boisei specimens from Konso demonstrate considerable morphological variation within the species. The unexpected combination of cranial and facial features of this skull cautions against the excessive taxonomic splitting of early hominids based on morphological detail documented in small and/or geographically restricted samples.

Suggested Citation

  • Gen Suwa & Berhane Asfaw & Yonas Beyene & Tim D. White & Shigehiro Katoh & Shinji Nagaoka & Hideo Nakaya & Kazuhiro Uzawa & Paul Renne & Giday WoldeGabriel, 1997. "The first skull of Australopithecus boisei," Nature, Nature, vol. 389(6650), pages 489-492, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:389:y:1997:i:6650:d:10.1038_39037
    DOI: 10.1038/39037
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