Paper on the 'Big Man' - New Australopithecus afarensis specimen

Server ErrorNew A afarensis find....earlier and bigger than Lucy.Edited by Peepul, : No reason given.

I don't think the forum rules require such in the "Creation/Evolution In The News" forum, but something more than a link would be nice. Quote a paragraph from the paper, or something.AND DO A BETTER TOPIC TITLE! Get the genus and species in there, or something.Or something like that, or something.Adminnemooseus

Hi peepul,

New A afarensis find....earlier and bigger than Lucy

More information in the Supplemental Data File (PDF)

quote:

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The simplest interpretation of the age and reversal data is that the bottom of the trench lies at or just above the Gauss/Gilbert paleomagnetic transition, with the normal magnetozone equating with the lower part of the normal subchron C2An.3n (3.596—3.330 Ma3). Using nominal sedimentation rates (11 cm/ky overall for strata ~3.8—3.6 Ma in this area1), the fossil specimen KSD-VP-1/1, found 2.6 m above the dated tuff, has an estimated age of 3.58 Ma.

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The anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) is massive and defines the upper border of a deep iliopsoas groove (Figure S6). The ilium is thickened posterior to it, and while much of its crest is missing, the preserved portion (i.e., the "iliac pillar") is located more anteriorly than its human homologue, consistent with lateral iliac flare typical of Australopithecus[4].

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The greater sciatic notch is well-demarcated and narrow, and is much more acute than that of A.L. 288-1 or Sts 14. The notch is substantially obtuse in two obvious female Australopithecus, but narrowed and more acute in KSD-VP-1/1. A platypelloid pelvis would not prevent selection for anteroposterior expansion of the birth canal. ...

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Ape distal tibial metaphyses are demonstrably broad and rectangular, primarily reflecting their more massive medial malleoli and expanded anterior plafonds[5,6]. Overall metaphyseal dimensions are unaffected by the specimen's pathology. Its AP/ML ratio (100) is decidedly hominid as is its probable malleolar index (= 47)(Table S7). Simple visual inspection shows the plafond to be remarkably narrow and largely square, rather than rectangular as in African apes (Figure S12). All of these features confirm a lack of any significant adaptation to vertical climbing[5,6], as is the case with all early hominids. ...

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There's much more. Interesting graphic on p12, for instance.It is always interesting to read articles like this, where the extensive comparisons between fossils are discussed, especially compared to creationist superficial evaluations. Of course it is helpful if you know some anatomy ...Enjoy.Edited by RAZD, : clrty

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Thanks RAZD! That's the real science behind the study of fossil man.I studied a lot of that in graduate school, and seeing all of the new finds is wonderful.

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