Kenyanthropus platyops lived in parts of Africa at the same time as Australopithecus afarensis and is distinguished by small ear openings, a relatively flat face, and small molars. Its classification is debated: some researchers include Homo rudolfensis specimens in Kenyanthropus, while others assign K. platyops specimens to Australopithecus because they do not consider the differences sufficient to justify a separate genus.

Arizona State University

Google

Some early hominin species have not been definitively assigned to one of the established genera within Hominidae (Pongo, Gorilla, Pan, or Homo). This is often because the fossil evidence for these species—teeth, bone fragments, or other artifacts—is too limited or ambiguous to confidently resolve genus-level classification. Ardipithecus ramidus, Kenyanthropus platyops, and Orrorin tugenensis are examples of hominins whose genus placement remains debated among researchers.

Unclassified Genus

Ar. ramidus is considered by some to be the oldest-known hominid. Ar. ramidus shares some novel characteristics with later hominids, including being bipedal and its teeth. As the molars of Ar. ramidus are smaller than those of any of the Australopithecus species. Further evidence, indicates that it may have been a woodland forest dweller. 

(Note: This species has not yet been fully described because some of the specimens have been difficult to extract from the surrounding rock.)

Ardipithecus Ramidus 

Orrorin tugenensis is an early hominin estimated to be about 6 million years old, living near the time our oldest hominid ancestor split from the great apes. Evidence indicates that O. tugenensis was likely bipedal. Its teeth suggest it could be more closely related to Homo sapiens than Australopithecus species, though this relationship remains highly speculative.

Learn Before

Related