Australopithecus garhi: A new species of early hominid from Ethiopia

The lack of an adequate hominid fossil record in eastern Africa between 2 a nd 3 million years ago (Ma) has hampered investigations of early hominid ph ylogeny. Discovery of 2.5 Ma hominid cranial and dental remains from the Ha ta beds of Ethiopia's Middle Awash allows recognition of a new species of A ustralopithecus. This species is descended from Australopithecus afarensis and is a candidate ancestor for early Homo. Contemporary postcranial remain s feature a derived humanlike humeral/femoral ratio and an apelike upper ar m-to-lower arm ratio.