New Pliocene hominin remains from the Leado Dido’a area of Woranso-Mille, Ethiopia

Fossiliferous deposits at Woranso-Mille span the period when Australopithecus anamensis gave rise to afarensis (3.8–3.6 Ma) and encompass core of A. range (ca. 3.5–3.2 Ma). Within latter period, fossils described date include intriguing but taxonomically unattributed Burtele foot, dentognathic attributed deyiremeda, one specimen securely (the Nefuraytu mandible). These suggest that least additional hominin lineage lived alongside in Afar Depression. Here we describe a collection from new locality Leado Dido’a area (LDD-VP-1). The strata this are correlated same chron as those (C2An.3n; 3.59–3.33 Ma), similar age Maka Sands Basal through lower Sidi Hakoma Members Hadar Formation. We attribute all LDD specimens afarensis, based on diagnostic morphology mandible, maxilla, canines, premolars. generally fall within variation previously documented for increase frequency some rare morphological variants. However, isolated M3 is extremely small, its taxonomic affinity currently unknown. observations support previous work temporal trends demonstrate large accepted species present even limited spatiotemporal range. value added with sample lies contribution controlling differences among site samples hypodigm contemporaneity non-A. Woranso-Mille.