Chimpman

Chimpman, also known as Australopithecus, is a genus of hominin. Australopithecus genus apparently evolved in eastern Africa around 4 million years ago before spreading throughout the continent, evolving into variety of different species of chimpmen. They are named chimpmen because they resemble a cross between a human and a chimpanzee, but can walk upright like a human. Today's species of Australopithecus includes Australopithecus afarensis, A. africanus, A. anamensis, and A. bahrelghazali, while the extinct species of Australopithecus includes Australopithecus deyiremeda (proposed), A. garhi, and A. sediba.

Australopithecus species played a significant part in human evolution, the genus Homo being derived from Australopithecus at some time after three million years ago. In addition, they were the first hominids to possess certain genes, known as the duplicated SRGAP2, which increased the length and ability of neurons in the brain. One of the Australopithecus species eventually became the Homo genus in Africa around two million years ago (e.g. Homo habilis), and eventually modern humans, H. sapiens sapiens.

The brains of most species of Australopithecus are roughly 35% of the size of a common human brain. Most species of Australopithecus are diminutive and gracile, usually standing 1.2 to 1.4 m (3 ft 11 in to 4 ft 7 in) tall. In several variations is a considerable degree of sexual dimorphism, males being larger than females. Australopithecus body proportions closely resemble those of bonobos (Pan paniscus), and its body is fully covered by hair much like chimpanzees and bonobos, while unlike common humans. Common humans do not appear to display the same degree of sexual dimorphism as Australopithecus do. In common human populations, males are on average a mere 15% larger than females, while in Australopithecus, depending on a species, males can be up to 50% larger than females. Some species of Australopithecus, however, exhibit a lesser degree of sexual dimorphism than other Australopithecus species.