Homo habilis

The second in the phylogenetic tree trasing the evolution of humans after the seperation of apes is the Homo line. The Homo line begings with a transition from Australopithecus to Homo habilis. Therefore the first fossil representative of the genus Homo was Homo habilis , literally, the "handy man".

- The habiline probably lived 2 - 1.3 million years ago and coexisted with the Australopithecines.
- Homo habilis has larger crania capacity than the australopithecinea, having a capacity of about 650 - 775 cu.cm.
- Face is shortened. Teeth were human like and there was a marked decrease in the teeth.
- Height was around 3 - 3.5 feet.
- Had ape like features such as long arms that dangled below the knees.
- First homonid to make and use tools . It is believed that the difference in cranial capacity of the habilines and the australopithecines is due to this fact.