Australopithecus from Latin australis, meaning 'southern', and Greek πίθηκος (pithekos), meaning 'ape'; singular: australopith) is a genus of hominins that existed in Africa from around 4.2[2] to 1.9 million years ago and from which the genus Homo, including modern humans, is considered to be descended. Australopithecus is a member of the subtribe Australopithecina,[3][4] which includes Paranthropus, Kenyanthropus,[5] Ardipithecus[5] and Praeanthropus,[6] though the term "australopithecine" is sometimes used to refer only to members of Australopithecus. Species include: A. garhi, A. africanus, A. sediba, A. afarensis, A. anamensis, A. bahrelghazali and A. deyiremeda. Debate exists as to whether other hominid species of this time, such as Paranthropus ('robust australopithecines'), belong to a separate genus or Australopithecus ('gracile australopiths)', or whether some Australopithecus species should be reclassified into new genera.[2]
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Australopithecus from Latin australis, meaning 'southern', and Greek πίθηκος (pithekos), meaning 'ape'; singular: australopith) is a genus of hominins that existed in Africa from around 4.2[2] to 1.9 million years ago and from which the genus Homo, including modern humans, is considered to be descended. Australopithecus is a member of the subtribe Australopithecina,[3][4] which includes Paranthropus, Kenyanthropus,[5] Ardipithecus[5] and Praeanthropus,[6] though the term "australopithecine" is sometimes used to refer only to members of Australopithecus. Species include: A. garhi, A. africanus, A. sediba, A. afarensis, A. anamensis, A. bahrelghazali and A. deyiremeda. Debate exists as to whether other hominid species of this time, such as Paranthropus ('robust australopithecines'), belong to a separate genus or Australopithecus ('gracile australopiths)', or whether some Australopithecus species should be reclassified into new genera.[2]
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