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.

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