Meet Australopithecus sediba
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Australopithecus sediba represents a good morphological candidate ancestor for the genus Homo, or a sister group to a close ancestor that persisted for some time after the first appearance of it.
The Malapa specimens demonstrate that the evolutionary transition from a small-bodied and perhaps more arboreal-adapted hominid (such as Au. africanus) to a larger-bodied, possibly full-striding terrestrial biped (such as H. erectus) occurred in a mosaic fashion. 
ALL IN THE FAMILY
See how sediba compares with other well known hominins. Species Australopithecus sediba sp. nov.
Order Primates Linnaeus 1758 Suborder Anthropoidea Mivart 1864 Superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825 Family Hominidae Gray 1825 Genus Australopithecus Dart 1925 The word sediba means “fountain” or “natural spring” in the seSotho language. 
MALAPA in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE
Learn the spectacular story of the discovery of Australopithecus sediba, plus see photos, diagrams, reconstructions and more. |
Phylogenetic tree.
Image Credit: University of Witwatersrand. 
Digital reconstruction of Australopithecus sediba
Photo Credit: University of Witwatersrand and Dr. Patrick Randolph-Quinney. |
Bibliography - Malapa/Australopithecus sediba
Bamford, M. K., et al. “Botanical remains from a coprolite from the Pleistocene hominin site of Malapa, Sterkfontein Valley, South Africa.” Palaeontologia africana 45 (2010): 23-28
[Full Text]
Berger, Lee R. “The mosaic nature of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 163-165.
[Full text]
Berger, Lee R. “Australopithecus sediba and the earliest origins of the genus Homo.” J Anthropol Sci 90 (2012): 117-131.
[Full text]
Berger, Lee R., et al. “Australopithecus sediba: a new species of Homo-like australopith from South Africa.” Science 328.5975 (2010): 195-204.
[Abstract only]
Carlson, Keely Britt. Developmental Simulation of the Adult Cranial Morphology of Australopithecus sediba. Diss. Texas A&M University, 2014.
[Full text]
Carlson, Keely B. et al. “Developmental simulation of the adult cranial morphology of Australopithecus sediba.” South African Journal of Science 112.7-8 (2016): 1-9.
[Full text]
Carlson, Kristian J., et al. “The endocast of MH1, Australopithecus sediba.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1402-1407.
[Abstract only]
Daegling, David J., er al. "Comparative biomechanics of Australopithecus sediba mandibles." Journal or Human Evolution 100 (2016): 73-86.
[Abstract only]
Churchill, Steven E., et al. “The upper limb of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1233477.
[Abstract only]
de Ruiter, Darryl J., Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa." The paleobiology of Australopithecus. Springer Netherlands, 2013. 147-160.
[Abstract only]
de Ruiter, Darryl J., et al. “Mandibular remains support taxonomic validity of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1232997.[Abstract only]
DeSilva, Jeremy M., et al. “The lower limb and mechanics of walking in Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1232999.
[Abstract only]
Dirks, Paul H. G. M., and Lee R. Berger. “Hominin-bearing caves and landscape dynamics in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa.” Journal of African Earth Sciences 78 (2013): 109-131.
[Abstract only]
Dirks, Paul H. G. M., et al. “Geological setting and age of Australopithecus sediba from southern Africa.” Science 328.5975 (2010): 205-208.
[Abstract only]
Haeusler, Martin, Schiess Regula, and Boeni Thomas. “Modern or distinct axial bauplan in early hominins? A reply to Williams (2012).” Journal of Human Evolution 63.3 (2012): 557-559.
[Abstract only]
Hartstone-Rose, Adam, et al. “A new species of fox from the Australopithecus sediba type locality, Malapa, South Africa.” Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 68.1 (2013): 1-9.
[Abstract only]
Henry, Amanda G., et al. “The diet of Australopithecus sediba.” Nature 487.7405 (2012): 90-93.
[Abstract only]
Holt, Emily, et al. “The stable isotope setting of Australopithecus sediba at Malapa, South Africa.” South African Journal of Science 112.7-8 (2016): 1-9.
[Full text]
Irish, Joel D., et al. Dental morphology and the phylogenetic ‘place’ of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1233062.
[Abstract only]
Kibii, Job M., et al. “A partial pelvis of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1407-1411.
[Abstract only]
Kivell, Tracy L., et al. “Australopithecus sediba hand demonstrates mosaic evolution of locomotor and manipulative abilities.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1411-1417.
[Abstract only]
Kuhn, Brian F., et al. “Carnivoran remains from the Malapa hominin site, South Africa.” PLoS ONE 6.11 (2011): e26940.
[Full text]
Pickering, Robyn, et al. “Australopithecus sediba at 1.977 Ma and implications for the origins of the genus Homo.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1421-1423.
[Abstract only]
Pickering, Robyn, et al. “Contemporary flowstone development links early hominin bearing cave deposits in South Africa.” Earth and Planetary Science Letters 306.1 (2011): 23-32.
[Abstract only]
Randolph-Quinney, Patrick S., et al. “Osteogenic tumour in Australopithecus sediba: Earliest hominin evidence for neoplastic disease.” South African Journal of Science 112.7-8 (2016): 1-7.
[Full text]
Ritzman, Terrence B., et al. "Mandibular ramus shape of Australopithecus sediba suggests a single variable species." Journal of Human Evolution 100 (2016): 54-64.
[Abstract only]
Schmid, Peter, et al. “Mosaic morphology in the thorax of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1234598.
[Abstract only]
Spoor, Fred. “Palaeoanthropology: Malapa and the genus Homo.” Nature 478.7367 (2011): 44-45.
[Abstract only]
Thackeray, J. Francis. “Comparisons between Australopithecus sediba (MH1) and other hominin taxa, in the context of probabilities of conspecificity.” South African Journal of Science 106.7-8 (2010): 1-2.
[Full text]
Thackeray, J. Francis, and E. Odes. “Morphometric analysis of early Pleistocene African hominin crania in the context of a statistical (probabilistic) definition of a species.” Antiquity 87.335 (2013).
[Full text]
Val, Aurore, et al. “3D techniques and fossil identification: An elephant shrew hemi-mandible from the Malapa site.” South African Journal of Science 107.11-12 (2011): 01-05.
[Full text]
Val, Aurore, et al. “Taphonomic analysis of the faunal assemblage associated with the hominins (Australopithecus sediba) from the early Pleistocene cave deposits of Malapa, South Africa.” PloS ONE 10.6 (2015): e0126904.
[Full text]
Williams, Scott A. “Modern or distinct axial bauplan in early hominins? Comments on Haeusler et al. (2011).” Journal of Human Evolution 63.3 (2012): 557-559.
[Abstract only]
Williams, Scott A., et al. “The vertebral column of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1232996.
[Abstract only]
Zipfel, Bernhard, et al. “The foot and ankle of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1417-1420.
[Abstract only]
Irish, Joel D., et al. “The apportionment of tooth size and its implications in Australopithecus sediba versus other Plio‐pleistocene and recent African hominins.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 161.3 (2016): 398-413.
[Abstract only]
Kuhn, Brian F., et al. “The carnivore guild circa 1.98 million years: biodiversity and implications for the palaeoenvironment at Malapa, South Africa.” Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments 96.4 (2016): 611-616.
[Abstract only]
Ledogar, Justin A., et al. “Mechanical evidence that Australopithecus sediba was limited in its ability to eat hard foods.” Nature Communications 7 (2016).
[Full text]
[Full Text]
Berger, Lee R. “The mosaic nature of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 163-165.
[Full text]
Berger, Lee R. “Australopithecus sediba and the earliest origins of the genus Homo.” J Anthropol Sci 90 (2012): 117-131.
[Full text]
Berger, Lee R., et al. “Australopithecus sediba: a new species of Homo-like australopith from South Africa.” Science 328.5975 (2010): 195-204.
[Abstract only]
Carlson, Keely Britt. Developmental Simulation of the Adult Cranial Morphology of Australopithecus sediba. Diss. Texas A&M University, 2014.
[Full text]
Carlson, Keely B. et al. “Developmental simulation of the adult cranial morphology of Australopithecus sediba.” South African Journal of Science 112.7-8 (2016): 1-9.
[Full text]
Carlson, Kristian J., et al. “The endocast of MH1, Australopithecus sediba.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1402-1407.
[Abstract only]
Daegling, David J., er al. "Comparative biomechanics of Australopithecus sediba mandibles." Journal or Human Evolution 100 (2016): 73-86.
[Abstract only]
Churchill, Steven E., et al. “The upper limb of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1233477.
[Abstract only]
de Ruiter, Darryl J., Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa." The paleobiology of Australopithecus. Springer Netherlands, 2013. 147-160.
[Abstract only]
de Ruiter, Darryl J., et al. “Mandibular remains support taxonomic validity of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1232997.[Abstract only]
DeSilva, Jeremy M., et al. “The lower limb and mechanics of walking in Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1232999.
[Abstract only]
Dirks, Paul H. G. M., and Lee R. Berger. “Hominin-bearing caves and landscape dynamics in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa.” Journal of African Earth Sciences 78 (2013): 109-131.
[Abstract only]
Dirks, Paul H. G. M., et al. “Geological setting and age of Australopithecus sediba from southern Africa.” Science 328.5975 (2010): 205-208.
[Abstract only]
Haeusler, Martin, Schiess Regula, and Boeni Thomas. “Modern or distinct axial bauplan in early hominins? A reply to Williams (2012).” Journal of Human Evolution 63.3 (2012): 557-559.
[Abstract only]
Hartstone-Rose, Adam, et al. “A new species of fox from the Australopithecus sediba type locality, Malapa, South Africa.” Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 68.1 (2013): 1-9.
[Abstract only]
Henry, Amanda G., et al. “The diet of Australopithecus sediba.” Nature 487.7405 (2012): 90-93.
[Abstract only]
Holt, Emily, et al. “The stable isotope setting of Australopithecus sediba at Malapa, South Africa.” South African Journal of Science 112.7-8 (2016): 1-9.
[Full text]
Irish, Joel D., et al. Dental morphology and the phylogenetic ‘place’ of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1233062.
[Abstract only]
Kibii, Job M., et al. “A partial pelvis of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1407-1411.
[Abstract only]
Kivell, Tracy L., et al. “Australopithecus sediba hand demonstrates mosaic evolution of locomotor and manipulative abilities.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1411-1417.
[Abstract only]
Kuhn, Brian F., et al. “Carnivoran remains from the Malapa hominin site, South Africa.” PLoS ONE 6.11 (2011): e26940.
[Full text]
Pickering, Robyn, et al. “Australopithecus sediba at 1.977 Ma and implications for the origins of the genus Homo.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1421-1423.
[Abstract only]
Pickering, Robyn, et al. “Contemporary flowstone development links early hominin bearing cave deposits in South Africa.” Earth and Planetary Science Letters 306.1 (2011): 23-32.
[Abstract only]
Randolph-Quinney, Patrick S., et al. “Osteogenic tumour in Australopithecus sediba: Earliest hominin evidence for neoplastic disease.” South African Journal of Science 112.7-8 (2016): 1-7.
[Full text]
Ritzman, Terrence B., et al. "Mandibular ramus shape of Australopithecus sediba suggests a single variable species." Journal of Human Evolution 100 (2016): 54-64.
[Abstract only]
Schmid, Peter, et al. “Mosaic morphology in the thorax of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1234598.
[Abstract only]
Spoor, Fred. “Palaeoanthropology: Malapa and the genus Homo.” Nature 478.7367 (2011): 44-45.
[Abstract only]
Thackeray, J. Francis. “Comparisons between Australopithecus sediba (MH1) and other hominin taxa, in the context of probabilities of conspecificity.” South African Journal of Science 106.7-8 (2010): 1-2.
[Full text]
Thackeray, J. Francis, and E. Odes. “Morphometric analysis of early Pleistocene African hominin crania in the context of a statistical (probabilistic) definition of a species.” Antiquity 87.335 (2013).
[Full text]
Val, Aurore, et al. “3D techniques and fossil identification: An elephant shrew hemi-mandible from the Malapa site.” South African Journal of Science 107.11-12 (2011): 01-05.
[Full text]
Val, Aurore, et al. “Taphonomic analysis of the faunal assemblage associated with the hominins (Australopithecus sediba) from the early Pleistocene cave deposits of Malapa, South Africa.” PloS ONE 10.6 (2015): e0126904.
[Full text]
Williams, Scott A. “Modern or distinct axial bauplan in early hominins? Comments on Haeusler et al. (2011).” Journal of Human Evolution 63.3 (2012): 557-559.
[Abstract only]
Williams, Scott A., et al. “The vertebral column of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 340.6129 (2013): 1232996.
[Abstract only]
Zipfel, Bernhard, et al. “The foot and ankle of Australopithecus sediba.” Science 333.6048 (2011): 1417-1420.
[Abstract only]
Irish, Joel D., et al. “The apportionment of tooth size and its implications in Australopithecus sediba versus other Plio‐pleistocene and recent African hominins.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 161.3 (2016): 398-413.
[Abstract only]
Kuhn, Brian F., et al. “The carnivore guild circa 1.98 million years: biodiversity and implications for the palaeoenvironment at Malapa, South Africa.” Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments 96.4 (2016): 611-616.
[Abstract only]
Ledogar, Justin A., et al. “Mechanical evidence that Australopithecus sediba was limited in its ability to eat hard foods.” Nature Communications 7 (2016).
[Full text]
