Australopithecus species have been the topic of much debate in
palaeoanthropology since Raymond Dart described the first species,
Australopithecus africanus, in 1925. This volume synthesizes the
geological and paleontological context of the species in East and South
Africa; covers individual sites, such as Dikika, Hadar, Sterkfontein,
and Malapa; debates the alpha taxonomy of some of the species; and
addresses questions regarding the movements of the species across the
continent. Additional chapters discuss the genus in terms of sexual
dimorphism, diet reconstruction using microwear and isotopic
methodologies, postural and locomotor behavior, and ontogeny.