Final answer:
The nickname given to Homo floresiensis fossils is "the Hobbit" due to their short stature, and despite their small brain size, they displayed intelligent behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fossils of Homo floresiensis, discovered on the island of Flores in Indonesia, have been given the nickname "the Hobbit" due to their small stature, with adults standing about 3 feet 7 inches tall. This discovery challenges the idea that a larger brain size is directly correlated with intelligence, as H. floresiensis had a smaller brain but displayed intelligent behaviors such as the use of fire for cooking and making tools. The anatomical features of H. floresiensis, such as thick leg bones, flat and long feet, and increased mobility in the elbow joint, suggest that they had a distinctive form of bipedalism and potentially retained some arboreal abilities.