Final answer:
Ardipithecus ramidus was discovered by Tim White in 1992 in Ethiopia. It was bipedal with traits suggesting a blend of arboreal and ground-dwelling behaviors, such as an opposable big toe and reduced canine size, indicative of evolutionary shifts toward human-like features.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who discovered Ardipithecus ramidus was American paleoanthropologist Tim White. The discovery took place in Ethiopia in 1992 and the species dates back about 4.4 million years ago (MYA), making it the first known hominin species from the Pliocene era. Ardipithecus ramidus exhibited a mixture of traits, including bipedality as suggested by the forward position of the foramen magnum, along with features like thin dental enamel and reduced canine size compared to other African apes, indicating a movement towards traits seen in later human ancestors. The opposable big toe found in Ardipithecus ramidus suggests it was capable of bipedal locomotion on the ground and quadrupedal movement in trees. The reduced canine size has been associated with a theory that less aggression and a female preference for milder temperaments influenced the selection of smaller canines over time.