Final answer:
The first hominid species found outside of Africa is Homo erectus, which migrated out of Africa approximately 1.8 million years ago and was more similar to modern humans than its predecessors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The First Hominid Species Found Outside of Africa
The first hominid species discovered outside of Africa is Homo erectus. This species is a significant part of human evolution, representing a step towards the modern humans. Homo erectus, which appeared approximately 1.8 million years ago, is well-known for its migration from Africa into Eurasia. This migration marked the first time a member of the hominin lineage moved out of the African continent. The species demonstrated many features closer to contemporary humans and is believed to be ancestral to later hominids such as Homo heidelbergensis and potentially to modern humans as well. Homo erectus possessed a larger brain and a more human-like body compared to its predecessors, with stature and weight similar to modern humans, and it utilized tools. Moreover, it was likely the first hominin to use fire and to hunt in coordinated groups. These advancements in behavior and physiology facilitated the species' adaptation to various environments as they dispersed across different continents.