New research from Monash University suggests the traditional way scientists classify human ancestors may no longer fit what the fossil record is showing. The study, published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology, argues that human taxonomy may need a major rethink.
According to ScienceDaily, the researchers propose placing all human species and close fossil relatives from the past 4 to 5 million years into the genus Homo. Lead researcher Dr. Ian Towle said recent fossil discoveries and new genetic and evolutionary analysis are making the current system less accurate.
Human evolution has often been presented as a simple progression from ape-like ancestors to Australopithecus, then early Homo, and finally Homo sapiens. But the research says the record is more complicated, with features once used to separate these groups becoming harder to define.
Dr. Towle argues that species now classified as Australopithecus and Paranthropus could be moved into Homo to better reflect shared ancestry and reduce the need to keep redefining groups as more fossils are found. He said the family tree of human evolution appears increasingly non-linear.
