In 2009 scientists found foot bones at the Woranso-Mille site in the Afar Rift in Ethiopia. The fossils are about 3.4 million years old. Researchers now say the bones belong to Australopithecus deyiremeda, a species that lived at the same time as Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis).
The foot, called the Burtele Foot, includes eight bones. At first researchers hesitated to name a species from these parts, but after later finds they linked the foot to A. deyiremeda. Scientists also studied teeth to learn about diet.
Tooth isotope results show A. deyiremeda ate foods from trees and shrubs. By contrast, Lucy’s species ate a wider range that included grasses and sedges. The foot shape shows a grasping big toe and long toes for climbing.
Difficult words
- fossil — remains of very old plants or animalsfossils
- species — group of similar living organisms
- isotope — one form of an element with different atoms
- diet — types of food an animal eats
- grasp — to take and hold something with the handgrasping
- sedge — a grass-like plant that grows in wetlandssedges
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think scientists studied teeth as well as bones?
- Would a grasping big toe help an animal climb trees? Why or why not?
- Do you think it is important to name a species from only a few bones? Explain briefly.
Related articles
Decaying dark matter may explain early giant black holes
Researchers propose that tiny energy from decaying dark matter changed gas chemistry in the first galaxies. This could let some gas clouds collapse directly into massive black holes, helping to explain early observations by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Leather waste turned into coffee fertiliser in Uganda
Researchers in Uganda have turned leather production waste into an organic fertiliser for coffee. Trials showed strong results, and the team plans a market-ready product by November to sell in several East and Central African countries.
Winter break activities that build children’s skills
A Virginia Tech educator says families can use everyday tasks during winter break to build thinking, planning and independence. Simple, hands-on activities like baking, budgeting and observing nature teach practical STEM and life skills without formal homework.
Study finds tuna traits evolved slowly after asteroid
A new study shows that tunas and their relatives did not gain large size and warm-bloodedness immediately after the asteroid strike 66 million years ago. Traits evolved independently in different lines over many millions of years.