What is the Difference Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus

The main difference between Paranthropus and Australopithecus is that Paranthropus is more robust whereas Australopithecus is more gracile. Furthermore, Paranthropus has a more prominent sagittal crest while Australopithecus has a forward-pointing great toe, a strong heel strike, and powerful toe-off. In addition, Paranthropus has larger teeth known as molars and larger jaw while Australopithecus has smaller teeth and a smaller jaw.

Paranthropus and Australopithecus are two genera of close relatives of humans. Both belong to the tribe Hominini.

Key Areas Covered

1. Paranthropus
     – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior
2. Australopithecus
     – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior
3. What are the Similarities Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus
     – Outline of Commons Features
4. What is the Difference Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Australopithecina, Australopithecus, Gracile Australopithecines, Hominini, Paranthropus, Robust Australopithecines

Paranthropus – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior

Paranthropus is a genus of extinct hominins lived between 2.6 and 1.1 Mya. It consists of three species: Paranthropus robustus, Paranthropus boisei, and Paranthropus aethiopicus. They belong to the subtribe Australopithecina, containing bipedal hominids. However, we consider them as a separate genus from the other gracile australopithecine hominids due to their body type. Also, this descendant occurred at 2.7 Mya.

Figure 1: Paranthropus aethiopicus skull

Furthermore, Paranthropus is characterized by its robust craniodental anatomy. Therefore, they are known as robust australopithecines. Also, they have a gorilla-like sagittal cranial crest. It suggests the presence of strong muscles of mastication. Moreover, they have broad, grinding herbivorous teeth. In contrast, this genus lacks transverse cranial crests as seen in modern gorillas. However, their craniodental anatomy has evolved to cope with tough vegetation but not with hard food. Therefore, Paranthropus shows low rates of enamel fractures.

Australopithecus – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior

Australopithecus is another genus of extinct hominins belonging to the subtribe Australopithecine. The members of the genus occurred in the Plio-Pleistocene era, which began about 5 Mya. They are also known as gracile australopithecines due to the presence of less strong body when compared to the other members of the subtribe known as robust australopithecines.

Figure 2: Australopithecus sediba Skull

Although they were adapted to bipedal locomotion, they could not walk identically to humans. Still, their post-cranial remains suggest their bipedal locomotion. Moreover, although their teeth are similar to the teeth of humans in size, their brain size is not much larger as modern apes. Also, they show less encephalization than humans.

Similarities Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus

• Paranthropus and Australopithecus are two genera of close relatives of humans.
• They are primates belonging to the subtribe Australopithecina under the tribe Hominini.
• They first appeared in Africa sometime around 4.2 Mya.
• The last recorded member of the group went extinct around 1.4 Mya.
• Furthermore, both are adapted to bipedal locomotion
• Also, both have a high brachial index (forearm/upper arm ratio) relative to other hominids.
• They are sexually dimorphic to a degree greater than the genera Homo and Pan, but less than Gorilla.
• Their estimated height is around 1.2 m – 1.5 m and weight is around 30 kg – 55 kg.
• Moreover, their cranial capacity is around 350 cc – 600 cc.
• Their postcanine dentition is relatively large and enamel is thickened when compared to contemporary apes and humans.
• Incisors and canine are relatively small, little sexual dimorphism in canines in comparison to modern apes.

Difference Between Paranthropus and Australopithecus

Definition

Paranthropus refers to a genus name often applied to robust fossil hominids first found in South Africa in 1938 while Australopithecus refers to a fossil bipedal primate with both ape-like and human characteristics, found in Pliocene and Lower Pleistocene deposits ( c. 4 million to 1 million years old) in Africa. Thus, this explains the main difference between Paranthropus and Australopithecus.

Also Known as

Paranthropus is a synonym for robust australopithecines while Australopithecus is a synonym for gracile australopithecines.

Prominent Features

Moreover, another difference between Paranthropus and Australopithecus is that Paranthropus has a more prominent sagittal crest while Australopithecus has a forward-pointing great toe, a strong heel strike, and powerful toe-off.

Teeth and Jaw

Paranthropus has larger teeth known as molars and larger jaw while Australopithecus has smaller teeth and a smaller jaw.

Species

Furthermore, Paranthropus consists of three species: Paranthropus robustus, Paranthropus boisei, and Paranthropus aethiopicus, while Australopithecus consists of six species: Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus anamensis, Australopithecus bahrelghazali, Australopithecus garhi, and Australopithecus sediba. This is another difference between Paranthropus and Australopithecus.

Conclusion

Paranthropus is a genus with three species, belonging to the subtribe Australopithecine. The members of Paranthropus are also known as robust australopithecines. Moreover, they have a prominent sagittal crest. Additionally, their teeth and jaw are larger. On the other hand, Australopithecus is another genus of the subtribe Australopithecina are also known as gracile australopithecines. They have a prominent sagittal heel and their teeth and jaw are small. Both genera lived in Africa sometime around 4.2 Mya. However, the main difference between Paranthropus and Australopithecus is their body type.

References:

1. Szpak, Paul. “Evolution of the Australopithecines.” TREE of LIFE Web Project, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Paranthropus aethiopicus skull at the Natural History Museum” By Paul Hudson (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Australopithecus sediba” By Photo by Brett Eloff. Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia