Why does your textbook classify early human ancestors using the genus "australopithecines" instead of a series of species?

Question

Why does your textbook classify early human ancestors using the genus "australopithecines" instead of a series of species?​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "australopithecines" refers to a group of early human ancestors that exhibits significant diversity in physical characteristics and habitats, suggesting the existence of multiple species within this genus. However, due to incomplete fossil records and the challenges in clearly distinguishing between species based on available evidence, it is difficult to determine the exact number of species within the Australopithecus genus. This uncertainty is why textbooks and scientific literature often refer to them collectively under the genus name rather than attempting to categorize them into specific species.

Why Does Your Textbook Classify Early Human Ancestors Using the Genus