Australopithecus robustus

Australopithecus robustus

Fossils assigned to this species are all South African, and come principally from the sites at Swartkrans and Kromdraai.

It has been suggested that the fossils represent two species, A. robustus from Kromdraai and A. crassidens from Swartkrans.

Though more robust in its facial features and stature, A. robustus may not have been very different in body weight from the more gracile australopithecines.

Published estimates of body size range from 42 to 65 kg.

Endocranial volume is estimated to be 500-530ml, and micro-toothwear evidence reveals a pattern of wear consistent with harder dietary materials than those consumed by A. africanus (perhaps gritty items such as nuts and tubers); see [Boyd & Silk 1997] , pp 365-373.