From Newsgroup: sci.anthropology.paleo


https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajpa.70177

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To test the hypothesis that the StW 573
(Little Foot) fossil specimen should be attributed
taxonomically to Australopithecus prometheus.

Materials and Methods: We adopt the methods of
classic morphology by comparing StW 573 to the type
specimen of A. prometheus (MLD 1) and other
consensus members of Australopithecus africanus. We
utilize qualitative anatomical descriptions and
comparisons, supplemented with the examination of
selected relevant quantitative measurements.

Results: We find that the morphology preserved by
StW 573 does not support assigning that specimen to
A. prometheus because it does not share a unique
suite of primitive and derived traits in common with
the A. prometheus type specimen, MLD 1. Specifically,
StW 573 differs from MLD 1 in having a more
pronounced external occipital protuberance, a
sagittal crest at lambda, an asterionic notch, a
long nuchal plane, and a smaller cranial capacity.
Regarding these same areas of anatomy, MLD 1 more
closely resembles Sts 5, and MLD 37/38, consensus
members of A. africanus.

Discussion: A. prometheus should remain a junior
synonym for A. africanus based on the demonstrated
morphological similarities between MLD 1 and the
broader A. africanus sample. Conversely, while
StW 573 cannot be attributed to A. prometheus, the
results of this study indicate that it also differs
in meaningful ways from specimens conventionally
attributed to A. africanus.
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