Classification and speciation

Species & Classification

    The Black Skull was placed in Paranthropus Aethiopicus for many reasons. First, it was 

labeled Paranthropus as opposed to Australopithecus because of its widened face and 

sagittal crest. Like other Australopithicines, P. Aethiopicus has a small brain. However, both

names are still used depending on the scientist's preference. Paranthropus are considered

the 'robust Australopithecines' who, due to being herbivores, have strong chewing muscles

that connect to a sagittal crest.


    Paranthropus Aethiopicus is very similar to both Paranthropus Boisei and 

Australopithecus Afarensis, the biggest difference was the age of the skull. Due to this, 

scientists believed that "The Black Skull thus seemed to us a potential evolutionary link 

between afarensis and the later robustus and boisei". Johanson (1993)

Obtained from https://www.flickr.com/photos/beowabbit/14782109553

(All information obtained from) Works cited: Johanson, D. C. (1993). A skull to chew on ["Australopithecus aethiopicus"]. Natural History, 102(5), 52-53.

T

Paranthropus aethiopicus- "The Black Skull" or KNM-WT 17000

Photo on top: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AParanthropus_aethiopicus_face_(University_of_Zurich).JPG 

Photo on bottom: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pahudson/11261772116

-Found at Lake Turkana in northern Kenya

-2.5 million years old

-Also know as Australopithicus aethiopicus, a robust Australopithicine

-Sunken face

-Plant-eater

-Small brain

-Very large (pre)molars

-Sagittal crest indicates strong muscles for chewing

-Though it is not a direct ancestor of Homo Sapiens, it is an important fossil because it is from a time period where there are not many hominid fossils. P. aethiopicus can help anthropologists figure out which hominid lineage led to modern humans. 

-"With their massive jaws, greatly enlarged chewing muscles, and huge crushing and grinding cheek teeth, the robust australopithecines were once successful members of the hominid family--the group that includes humans and their extinct close relatives."Johanson (1993)

-Due to similarities between species, "The Black Skull thus seemed to us a potential evolutionary link between afarensis and the later robustus and boisei" Johanson (1993) A. Afarensis is an important species because it contains the fossil 'Lucy', an early bipedal primate.

(All information obtained from) Works cited: Johanson, D. C. (1993). A skull to chew on ["Australopithecus aethiopicus"]. Natural History, 102(5), 52-53.