“Australopithecus afarensis”: A composite species

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In response to a critique by FERGUSON (1989), LEONARD (1991) reiterates most of his original arguments for supporting "Australopithecus afarensis" JOHANSON, WHITE, and COPPENS, 1978 as a single species. He disregards the principle of morphological equivalence by comparing the dental metrics and morphology of a hominid with those of species of the Pongidae, which do not correspond with the degree of variation in hominids, instead of with those of species of the Hominidae. He fails to refute clear evidence that the range of variation of dental metrics and morphology in "A. afarensis" exceeds that seen in species of the Hominidae. On the basis of extreme variation, "A. afarensis" is, therefore, interpreted as representing a composite species.