@article {333786, title = {Competing models of hominin body size evolution}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences}, volume = {123}, year = {2026}, month = {2026/06/22}, abstract = {

The evolutionary trajectory of hominin body size remains contested, with prior studies suggesting a gradual increase or lineage-specific shifts. Here, we apply Bayesian phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models to a dataset of 386 specimens across 21 taxa and find strong evidence for a marked body mass increase in non-habilis\ or later-occurring\ Homo, with moderate support for a general increase over time. Contrary to some existing hypotheses, we find less support for a distinct size increase across all\ Homo. By accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence, intraspecific variation, and multiple sources of uncertainty, our analysis examines competing views in a single framework, supporting a more complex explanation for hominin body size evolution and clarifying key transitions in\ Homo.

}, isbn = {0027-84241091-6490}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2521732123}, url = {https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2521732123}, author = {Gardner, Jacob D. and P{\"u}schel, Thomas A. and White, Suzy and Sakamoto, Manabu and Venditti, Chris} }