Difference Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus

Key Difference – Paranthropus vs Australopithecus

Hominidaeis a taxonomic family ofprimateswhose members are known as great apes orhominids。这分类群包括古代extinct hominins such asParanthropus,AustralopithecusandHomogroup including modern man. TheParanthropusis described as a genus of extinct hominins. They were also known as “robust australopithecines”. They were bipedal and found to be descended from “gracile australopithecines”. And they probably had lived 2.7 million years ago. They are subdivided further intoParanthropus aethiopicus, Paranthropus robustusandParanthropus boisei。Australopithecusis also an extinct genus of hominins which is broadly categorized into several groups likeAustralopithecus Afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus anamensis, Australopithecus bahrelghazali, Australopithecus deyiremeda, Australopithecus garhiandAustralopithecus sediba.They lived in the region of the African continent in Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs (more accurately 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago). Thekey differencebetween Paranthropus and Australopithecus is,Paranthropushad larger braincase (cranium) than theAustralopithecuswhileAustralopithecusbraincase (cranium) was smaller thanParanthropusas well as theHomogenus.

CONTENTS

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.Who is Paranthropus
3.Who is Australopithecus
4.Similarities Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus
5.Side by Side Comparison – Paranthropus vs Australopithecus in Tabular Form
6.Summary

Who is Paranthropus?

Paranthropusis a genus of extinct hominins. They were bipedal and had lived 2.7 million years ago. Most of the species ofParanthropushad a brain which was 40% in size of that of amodern man。They were well-muscled species and roughly 1.3 m in height. The genusParanthropusis characterized by robust craniodental anatomy, gorilla-like a sagittal cranial crest, broad grindingherbivorous teethand strong muscles of mastication. TheParanthropuswere lacking the transverse cranial crests in the skulls which can be found in the moderngorillas。They were specifically tailored to a diet of grubs and plants. It had made difficult for them in adapting to the changing climate which eventually led to their extinction. According to the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, their taxonomy is often disputed with the genusAustralopithecus。ThepelvisofParanthropusis similar to that of theA. Afarensis。But the hip joint including the femoral head and acetabulum are smaller inParanthropus。The similar hip structure betweenA. aferensisandParanthropussuggests that they had similar walking gait. Most probably theParanthropusmoved like the gracile australopiths.

GenusParanthropusis subdivided further intoParanthropus aethiopicus, Paranthropus robustusandParanthropus boisei。The remains ofParanthropuswere found in Omo river valley in Southern Ethiopia and western shore of Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya.Paranthropuslived in both southern and eastern Africa was associated with stone tool making. However, they had not used a language of communication nor did they control fire. Species likeParanthropus boiseiwere considered as part-time graminivore.

Who is Australopithecus?

Australopithecusis an extinct genus of hominins. They are broadly categorized into several groups likeAustralopithecus aferensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus anamensis, Australopithecus bahrelghazali, Australopithecus deyiremeda, Australopithecus garhiandAustralopithecus sediba. Australopithecuslived around 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago.

According to the evidence offossils, they bore the characters of both humans and apes. They were bipedal like humans. But they had small brains similar to apes. Their canine teeth were small like humans but the cheek teeth were large. They were prominent frugivorous. These species traveled short distances.Australopithecusspecies were usually standing 1.2 to 1.4 m tall. AnAustralopithecusskeleton fossil named as “Lucy” was found in Ethiopia that has been dated back to 3.2 million years ago. The evolutionary scientists believe suddenly australopith species became aHomogenus (likeHomo habilis) two million years ago in Africa and eventually the modern humansHomo sapienscame into being.

What are the Similarities Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus?

• They were both extinct species.
• They were both belonging to hominins group.
• Paranthropusand someAustralopithecushad similar walking gait.
• Both included in the disputed group of “Australopiths” in the lineage.
• Both lived 2.6 million years ago.
• Both were bipedal.

What is the Difference Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus?

Paranthropus vs Australopithecus
Paranthropusis an extinct genus of hominins which had larger braincase (cranium).	Australopithecusis an extinct genus of hominins which had smaller braincase (cranium).
Temporal Fossa
Paranthropus’s temporal fossa was large.	Australopithecus’s temporal fossa was small.
Snout
Paranthropus’s snout was short.	Australopithecus’s snout was long.
Sagittal Crest
Paranthropusmales had a sagittal crest.	The sagittal crest was absent inAustralopithecus。
Location of the Face
The face of theParanthropuswas located high in neurocranium.	The face of theAustralopithecuswas located below in neurocranium.
Face
Paranthropushad a flat face.	Australopithecushad prognathic incisors in their faces.
Zygomatics and Mandible
Paranthropushad robust zygomatic and mandible.	Australopithecushad not got robust zygomatic and mandible.
Forehead
Paranthropushad a flat forehead.	Australopithecushad a steep forehead.
Relative Size of Incisors and Canines
Paranthropusincisors and canines were small.	Australopithecusincisors and canines were large.
Size of Premolars and Molars
Paranthropuspremolars and molars were large.	Australopithecuspremolars and molars were small.

Summary –Paranthropus vs Australopithecus

BothParanthropusandAustralopithecusare extinct hominins.Paranthropuswere robust and descended from gracile australopithecines. They were bipedal and probably lived 2.7 million years ago. It is divided broadly to three groups;Paranthropus aethiopicus, Paranthropus robustusandParanthropus boisei。Australopithecushas subdivision like;Australopithecus aferensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus anamensis, Australopithecus bahrelghazali, Australopithecus deyiremeda, Australopithecus garhiandAustralopithecus sediba.他们住在非洲的面积在5.3到2.6million years ago. This can be described as the difference betweenParanthropusandAustralopithecus.

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Reference:

1.“Paranthropus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Dec. 2017.Available here
2.“Australopithecus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Dec. 2017.Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’Paranthropus boisei’By Lillyundfreya (CC BY-SA 3.0) viaCommons Wikimedia
2.’A.afarensis’ (Public Domain) viaCommons Wikimedia