Australopithecus


an extinct genus of small-brained,large-toothed bipedal hominids that lived in africa between one and four million years ago.
n.

1925, coined by australian anthropologist raymond a. dart (1893-1988) from latin australis “southern” (see australia) + greek pithekos “ape.” so called because first discovered in south africa.
australopithecus [(aw-stray-loh-pith-i-kuhs, aw-stray-loh-pi-thee-kuhs)]

an extinct genus of the hominid family that lived in africa from about three to one million years ago. the name means “southern ape.”

note: members of this genus were the ancestors of modern humans. one of the best-known fossils, lucy, was a member of this genus.

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