australopithecus(n = noun.animal) genus australopithecus - extinct genus of African hominid;
is a kind of mammal genus
is a member of family hominidae, hominidae

australopithecus, n. any extinct bipedal primate of the genus Australopithecus having apelike and human characteristics, or its fossilized remains.

Derivative:
australopithecine n. & adj.

Etymology:
mod.L f. L australis southern + Gk pithekos ape

australopithecus afarensis, australopithecus africanus, australopithecus boisei, australopithecus robustus, genus australopithecus