What is the process of Parapatric speciation?
Parapatric speciation occurs when new species evolve in contiguous, yet spatially segregated habitats. In this case, a balance is achieved between continual gene flow and strong natural selection to maintain divergent populations at the two ends of the contiguous habitats.
What do you mean by evolutionism in anthropology?
Proposed in the 19th century, social evolution, which is sometimes referred to as Unilineal Evolution, was the first theory developed for anthropology. Social evolutionists identified universal evolutionary stages to classify different societies as in a state of savagery, barbarism, or civilization.
Where did the gracile australopithecines live in Africa?
Gracile australopithecines shared several traits with modern apes and humans and were widespread throughout Eastern and Southern Africa as early as 4 to as late as 1.2 million years ago. The earliest evidence of fundamentally bipedal hominids can be observed at the site of Laetoli in Tanzania.
Why did australopithecins have bigger cheek teeth than graciles?
Robust australopithecines (Paranthropus) had larger cheek teeth than gracile australopiths, possibly because robust australopithecines had more tough, fibrous plant material in their diets, whereas gracile australopiths ate more hard and brittle foods.
Are there any living descendants of the Australopithecus?
Australopithecus is not literally extinct (in the sense of having no living descendants) as the Kenyanthropus, Paranthropus and Homo genera probably emerged as sister of a late Australopithecus species such as Australopithecus africanus and/or A. sediba.
Which is more robust Paranthropus or gracile Australopithecus?
The members of Paranthropus appear to have a distinct robustness compared to the gracile australopiths, but it is unclear if this indicates all members stemmed from a common ancestor or independently evolved similar traits from occupying a similar niche.