The WT 17000 represents the species Paranthropus aethiopicus. In
frontal view it appears very similar to the other members of the genus
Paranthropus; it has the wide flaring zygomatics - cheek bones
- and a prominent sagittal crest at the top of the skull. However,
rotate the skull to the left until you are looking at the side of the
skull. Note the form of the sagittal crest. It is a very high bony ridge
for muscles attachment, yet it is positioned well to the rear of the skull.
Comparing this with Paranthropus
boisei we see that both species had adaptations for chewing tough
food, but emphasized the use of different muscles. Rotate the skull to
look at the back of the skull. Note that the sagittal crest actually joins
with a nearly horizontal crest (the nuchal crest) at a point at
the back of the skull. Compare this with the QTVR of KNM
ER 406. Do the crests meet in Paranthropus boisei?
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