Journal article
Drimolen cranium DNH 155 documents microevolution in an early hominin species
Nature ecology & evolution, Vol.5, pp.38-45
01/2021
PMID: 33168991
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Paranthropus robustus is a small-brained extinct hominin from South Africa characterized by derived, robust craniodental morphology. The most complete known skull of this species is DNH 7 from Drimolen Main Quarry, which differs from P. robustus specimens recovered elsewhere in ways attributed to sexual dimorphism. Here, we describe a new fossil specimen from Drimolen Main Quarry, dated from approximately 2.04–1.95 million years ago, that challenges this view. DNH 155 is a well-preserved adult male cranium that shares with DNH 7 a suite of primitive and derived features unlike those seen in adult P. robustus specimens from other chronologically younger deposits. This refutes existing hypotheses linking sexual dimorphism, ontogeny and social behaviour within this taxon, and clarifies hypotheses concerning hominin phylogeny. We document small-scale morphological changes in P. robustus associated with ecological change within a short time frame and restricted geography. This represents the most highly resolved evidence yet of microevolutionary change within an early hominin species.
Details
- Title
- Drimolen cranium DNH 155 documents microevolution in an early hominin species
- Creators
- Jesse M. Martin - La Trobe UniversityA. B. Leece - La Trobe UniversitySimon Neubauer - Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyStephanie E. Baker - University of JohannesburgCarrie S. Mongle - American Museum of Natural HistoryGiovanni Boschian - University of PisaGary T. Schwartz - Arizona State UniversityAmanda L. Smith - University of ChicagoJustin A. Ledogar - Duke UniversityDavid S. Strait - Washington University in St. LouisAndy I. R. Herries - La Trobe University
- Publication Details
- Nature ecology & evolution, Vol.5, pp.38-45
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 19
- Grant note
- Max Planck Society; Foundation CELLEX NSF-BCS-0725126 / Biological Anthropology Directorate of the National Science Foundation DP170100056 / Australian Research Council Higher Degree Research fee waivers and living scholarships from La Trobe University
- Identifiers
- 991013140713702368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article