Figure 3.

A summary comparison of the hominin data for Aramis (above), and Makapansgat (below), plotted as means (black boxes) and standard deviations with mean values for C₃ and C₄ feeders shown for comparison. Data for carnivores (hyaenids) are also shown (white boxes; n = 2 for Makapansgat), because they are effectively integrators for the values of all the fauna they consume. These data are shifted towards values more enriched in ¹³C in Aramis, suggesting more open, C₄ elements in the environment compared with Makapansgat, where the faunal assemblage consists largely of C₃ feeders. In spite of this difference, Ar. ramidus remains relatively depleted in ¹³C, quite unlike the patterns for A. africanus seen at Makapansgat. Data for Aramis are from White et al. (2009b), and for Makapansgat are from Sponheimer (1999).