Naemanson, sometimes species differentiation based upon morphology is a contentious issue, even among experts. As noted, up until a few years ago, the wolf and the dog were each classed as a separate species even by the "experts", despite the fact that they had living entities upon which to base their opinions and studies.

Regarding homonids, a documentary I watched recently still had diffent "schools of thought" arguing over what should be placed where. Opionions were based upon age of the specimens and cranial structures and seemed to be predicated upon which group of scholars currently holds the most influence that month.

Problems have arisen recently, because some work on specimens from Java, seems to have determined, that which is currently referred to as Homo erectus was a contemporary of Homo sapien in that region up until as recently as 27,000 years ago.

It is my belief that DNA testing will be the only way to give a little more clarity to the issue of Hobbit man. IMO, morphology may be correct in a lot of circumstances, however the absolute indicator of a separate species is not necessarily bone structure, but the inability to interbreed successfully.