To correctly associate the given brain capacities with the hominid species, we need to list the species in order of their brain capacity from smallest to largest.
Here are the hominid species and their associated brain capacities:
1. A. afarensis: 450 ml
2. A. africanus: 480 ml
3. H. habilis: 600 ml
4. H. neanderthalensis: 1600 ml
Therefore, when we arrange the hominid species in order from the smallest to the largest brain capacity, we get:
1. A. afarensis (450 ml)
2. A. africanus (480 ml)
3. H. habilis (600 ml)
4. H. neanderthalensis (1600 ml)
Thus, the correct association of the brain capacities with the hominid species in order from smallest to largest is:
```
A. afarensis, A. africanus, H. habilis, H. neanderthalensis
```