Final answer:
Australopithecus sediba is noted for its blend of humanlike and ape-like features, making it a key figure at the border of humanity. Its traits suggest bipedal locomotion and potential ancestral ties to later hominins like Homo erectus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of Australopithecus sediba that place it at the border of humanity include its humanlike spine, pelvis, hands, and teeth, and its chimpanzee-like foot. These traits suggest a transitional form adept at both bipedal locomotion and some arboreal activities, which could indicate this species' position on the cusp of the genus Homo. Additionally, A. sediba's small jaws, teeth similar to early Homo species, and a bipedal gait also contribute to its classification near the dawn of humanity. The discovery of A. sediba in South Africa and the implications it holds for the evolution of early hominins is of significant interest to anthropologists and aids in understanding the complex lineage leading up to modern humans. Its light-bone structure, signs of bipedalism, and dental morphology resembling early Homo species all contribute to the evidence that A. sediba may have been an ancestor of later hominins, such as Homo erectus and Homo ergaster.