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Spatial bias in the fossil record affects understanding of human evolution

Nature Ecology & Evolution (2024)Cite this article

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Using modern mammals as analogues, we investigate how spatial bias in the early human fossil record probably influences understanding of human evolution. Our results suggest that the environmental and fossil records from palaeoanthropological hotspots are probably missing aspects of environmental and anatomical variation.

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Fig. 1: Key fossil site locations in Africa.

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This is a summary of: Barr, W. A. & Wood, B. Spatial sampling bias influences our understanding of early hominin evolution in eastern Africa. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02522-5 (2024).

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Spatial bias in the fossil record affects understanding of human evolution. Nat Ecol Evol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02524-3

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