Researchers currently believe the evolutionary split between humans and apes occurred 5-7 million years ago. The species under the genus Paranthropus (or "equal of man") represent close (slightly larger) relatives to the australopithecines. Some researchers continue to refer to them as branches of australopithecus, but we will look at them separately. The different species are (listed in order of their presumed evolution):
Paranthropus Aethiopicus
First discovered in South Africa (Swartkrans, 1948), aethiopicus lived 1-2.5 million years ago. These herbivores have larger brains than australopithecus, but are more ape than human. Aethiopicus is believed to be among the first to use crude stone/bone tools and gather naturally occurring (wild) fire.
Paranthropus Robustus
Between 1.2-2 million years ago, a large (4-5 ft) hominid lived in the area of South Africa now called Kromdraai. When it was discovered in 1938 researchers noted it was larger than known female samples, and so presumbed to be a male australopithecus. Further research revealed what appeared to be a new genus, altogether unrelated to australopithecus and more ape than human. A new genus paranthropus was coined to describe this genetic line.
Paranthropus Boisei
First named by Leakey in Tanzania (1959) and thought to live 1.2-2.3 million years ago, boisei was once thought to be the first true human. It is now believed to be the latest paranthropus. These herbivores have a jaw designed for eating heavy, fibrous plants. This specialization may well have led to their extinction after a major change in climate.