Australopithecus

Australopithecus (pronounced AW-struh-loh-PITH-i-kuhs, /ɒstrəlɵˈpɪθɪkəs/; anglicized australopithecine or australopith) is an extinct genus of hominid. From paleontological and archaeological evidence, it appears that the Australopithecus genus evolved in eastern Africa around 4 million years ago before spreading throughout the continent and eventually becoming extinct somewhat after 2 million years ago. During that time, a number of australopithecine species emerged, including Australopithecus afarensis, A. africanus, A. anamensis, A. bahrelghazali, A. garhi and A. sediba.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australopithecus