Origin and Evolution of Life — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question

(1) Australopithecus can be considered as a connecting link between ape and man due to the following ape-like and man like characteristics shown by it.
(2) The ape-like characteristics of Australopithecus:

• The jaws and teeth were larger than those of modern man.
• The face was prognathous, i.e. it had a muzzle like slope
• The chin was absent
• The eye-brow ridges projected over the eyes
• Their cranial capacity ranged from 450-600 c.c.

(3) The man-like characteristics of Australopithecus:

• It walked nearly or completely straight due to erect posture.
• The vertebral column had a distinct lumbar curve with broad basin-like pelvic girdle.
• Dentition was man-like with the smoothly rounded parabolic dental arch.
• A simian gap was absent. Australopithecus is therefore, rightly described as a man with ape brain