ABSTRACT
The genus Homo was established by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. During the course of the past 150 years, the addition of fossil species to the genus Homo has resulted in a genus that, according to the taxonomic interpretation, could span as much time as 2.5 Myr, and include as many as ten species. This paper reviews the fossil evidence for each of the species involved, and sets out the case for their inclusion in Homo. It suggests that while the case for the inclusion of some species in the genus (e.g. Homo erectus) is well-supported, in the case of two of the species, Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis, the case for their inclusion is much weaker. Neither the cladistic evidence, nor evidence about adaptation suggest a particularly close relationship with later Homo.
