Robustness (morphology) (original) (raw)

In biology, robustness is used to describe a taxon with a stronger and heavier build (morphology) when compared to a related gracile taxon. The terms are used in contrast to one another. The term is used by physical anthropologists and paleoanthropologists to refer to a big-boned and muscular body. The terms "robust" vs. "gracile" are used in the context of human evolution, to distinguish: