Ethiopian fossils reveal new species in human evolutionary lineage

By Will Dunham

Researchers have unearthed tooth fossils in Ethiopia dating to about 2.65 million years ago of a previously unknown species in the human evolutionary lineage, one that lived in the same time and place as the earliest-known member of the genus Homo to which our own species belongs.

The scientists discovered in the Ledi-Geraru research project area of northeastern Ethiopia’s Afar Region 10 teeth – six molars, two incisors, one premolar and one canine – that they concluded belonged to a new Australopithecus species. The teeth came from two individuals.

Until now, six species of the genus Australopithecus, an important early human ancestor that displayed a mix of ape-like and human-like traits, were known from fossils at various African sites. The researchers said the newly found teeth bore traits indicating they belonged to a seventh species.

A genus is a group of closely related species that share similar characteristics. For example, lions and tigers are