New fossils of Australopithecus anamensis from Kanapoi, West Turkana, Kenya (2012–2015). Issue 140 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ward, C.V.; Plavcan, J.M.; Manthi, F.K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of human evolution. Issue 140(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Pliocene -- Mandible -- Maxilla -- Tibia -- Dentition -- Early hominins; Human evolution -- Periodicals; Homme -- Évolution -- Périodiques; Human evolution; Periodicals; 599.93805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2484

Abstract

Abstract: Kanapoi, Kenya, has yielded the earliest evidence of the genus Australopithecus, Australopithecus anamensis . Renewed fieldwork from 2012 through 2015 yielded 18 new fossils attributable to this species. The new specimens include the second maxillary fragment known from a Kanapoi hominin and the first from a relatively young adult. The new maxilla has the distinctive rounded nasal aperture margin characteristic of A. anamensis . A second partial proximal tibia from the site is the first postcranial element from a small A. anamensis individual. A new partial mandible and complete mandibular dentition display distinctive Kanapoi hominin morphology, but the mandible displays a larger trigonid on its fourth premolar than any known so far. Two new complete sets of mandibular incisors are also notably large, especially the lateral ones, a distinctive feature of A. anamensis compared with Australopithecus afarensis . The new fossils also highlight the distinctive morphology of Kanapoi A. anamensis compared to later hominins.