Meganthropus
Translingual
Etymology
mega- + Anthropus
Proper noun
Meganthropus m
- (archaic) A taxonomic genus within the family Hominidae – a group of extinct bipedal hominids.
Usage notes
This is a polyphyletic grouping of two groups, Meganthropus palaeojavanicus and Meganthropus africanus. M. africanus is now classified as Paranthropus robustus or Australopithecus robustus. Meganthropus palaeojavanicus is now classified as Homo erectus palaeojavanicus, Homo palaeojavanicus, or Australopithecus palaeojavanicus. The classification of palaeojavanicus is under debate, while that of africanus is clear and dependent on whether Paranthropus is a separate genus or is not and therefore part of Australopithecus.
Derived terms
- Meganthropus palaeojavanicus
- Meganthropus africanus