Step 1: Concept Overview:
The task is to arrange hominin species by average cranial capacity, smallest to largest. A key trend in human evolution is encephalization, referring to increased brain size relative to body size.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Here are the approximate average cranial capacities for each species:
- B. Homo floresiensis: Known for its small brain size due to insular dwarfism. Average cranial capacity: ~400 cm³.
- C. Homo habilis: An early *Homo* species, often called "handy man." Average cranial capacity: ~600-650 cm³.
- D. Homo erectus: Exhibits a larger brain size than *H. habilis*. Average cranial capacity: ~900-1100 cm³.
- A. Homo sapiens: Modern humans, possessing the largest brain size among the listed species. Average: ~1350 cm³.
Step 3: Solution:
Species ordered by increasing cranial capacity:
Homo floresiensis (B)<Homo habilis (C)<Homo erectus (D)<Homo sapiens (A).
Therefore, the correct sequence is B, C, D, A.