The locality where Ardipithecus ramidus was recovered lies in the Awash valley of Ethiopia. Soils, fossils, phytoliths and stable isotope evidence all suggest that when Ardipithecus ramidus was alive the local habitat in Ethiopia was a woodland, rather than the savanna usually associated with Australopithecus. Hackberry, fig and palm trees are recorded, as are fish, terrestrial tortoises, crocodiles and 29 species of birds (barn owl, falcons, pigeons, spoonbills, geese, bustards, quail, eagles); small mammals (rodents, rabbits, mice, bats, mice, porcupines, hedgehogs, mongoose, shrews); and hippos and monkeys.
All of these animal species lead researchers to believe that Ardipithecus lived and died in a wooded area that included closed and grassy woodlands and patches of true forests. The food available in the vicinity of A. ramidus, as well as examination of tooth enamel and tooth shape, lead researchers to suggest that Ardi had a diverse vegetarian diet, made up of fruit and other woodland-based foods like nuts and leaves.
Sources and Further Information
Louchart, Antoine, et al. 2009 Taphonomic, Avian, and Small-Vertebrate Indicators of Ardipithecus ramidus Habitat. Science 326:66e1-66e4.
WoldeGabriel, Giday, et al. 2009 The geological, isotopic, botanical, invertebrate, and lower vertebrate surroundings of Ardipithecus ramidus. Science 326:65e1-65e5.
White, Tim D., et al. 2009 Macrovertebrate Paleontology and the Pliocene Habitat of Ardipithecus ramidus. Science 326:87-93.
- Ardipithecus ramidus, the blog post, which has links to recent news stories
- Lucy, famous Australopithecus afarensis
- Hominin
- Stable Isotope Analysis
- Phytoliths
- Middle Awash
