Final answer:
The Pliocene era lasted from 5 MYA to 1.8 MYA. Three clear hominin genera found in this era were Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, and Homo habilis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pliocene era lasted from 5 million years ago (MYA) to 1.8 MYA. During this era, three clear hominin genera were found:
- Ardipithecus: Fossils of this species have been dated to the Pliocene and are considered one of the earliest hominins.
- Australopithecus: Several species of Australopithecus, such as Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus, lived during the Pliocene era. They were known for their bipedalism.
- Homo: The emergence of the Homo genus is also associated with the Pliocene. The iconic Homo habilis, known for its tool-making abilities, appeared during this era.