Paranthropus boisei

E595828

Paranthropus boisei is an extinct robust hominin species from eastern Africa, notable for its massive jaws, large molars, and adaptations for heavy chewing.

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Statements (51)

Predicate Object
instanceOf extinct hominin species
robust australopith
associatedResearcher Louis Leakey NERFINISHED
bodySizeComparison similar in body size to Australopithecus afarensis
chewingAdaptation massive jaws
sagittal crest for large chewing muscles
thick dental enamel
very large molars
cranialCapacity about 500–550 cubic centimeters
currentAcceptedName Paranthropus boisei NERFINISHED
diet C4 plant resources such as grasses and sedges
primarily tough, fibrous plant foods
discoveredBy Mary Leakey NERFINISHED
discoveredIn 1959
ecologicalNiche specialized hard-object and tough-food feeder
extinctionReasonHypothesis dietary specialization may have reduced adaptability to environmental change
faceMorphology broad, dish-shaped face
flaring zygomatic arches
family Hominidae NERFINISHED
firstAppearance about 2.3 million years ago
fossilFoundInCountry Ethiopia NERFINISHED
Kenya NERFINISHED
Malawi NERFINISHED
Tanzania NERFINISHED
fossilRangeRegion Eastern Africa NERFINISHED
genus Paranthropus NERFINISHED
geologicalTimeRange Pleistocene NERFINISHED
incisorSize relatively small incisors and canines
lastAppearance about 1.2 million years ago
laterGenusAssignment Australopithecus NERFINISHED
locomotion bipedal
namedAfter Charles Watson Boise NERFINISHED
nickName Nutcracker Man NERFINISHED
Zinjanthropus NERFINISHED
notableSite Koobi Fora NERFINISHED
Olduvai Gorge NERFINISHED
Omo Valley NERFINISHED
originalGenusName Zinjanthropus NERFINISHED
originalSpeciesName Zinjanthropus boisei NERFINISHED
postcranialMorphology relatively small-bodied compared to modern humans
sexualDimorphism pronounced
status extinct
subfamily Homininae NERFINISHED
taxonRank species
toolMakerDebate tool-making usually attributed to early Homo rather than Paranthropus boisei
toolUseAssociation sometimes found with Oldowan stone tools
toothMorphology megadont posterior teeth
tribe Hominini NERFINISHED
typeSpecimen OH 5 NERFINISHED
typeSpecimenCountry Tanzania NERFINISHED
typeSpecimenFoundAt Olduvai Gorge NERFINISHED

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Paranthropus robustus relatedTo Paranthropus boisei